Driver in custody after SUV plows into 6 people at Lincolnton Walmart

LINCOLNTON, N.C. — A 68-year-old driver, who was seen on surveillance video plowing into six people in a Walmart parking lot, turned himself in to authorities the next day. Daniel Gonzalez has been charged with felony hit and run.

Investigators in Lincoln County say he turned himself into police around 6 p.m. He told police he was trying to park his SUV but hit the gas instead.

Police say they recovered Gonzalez’s SUV at a family home in Iron Station Monday evening.

Video and images from the Walmart parking lot in Lincolnton on Sunday show six migrant workers being struck. The surveillance video shows that the SUV appears to be pulling into a parking spot when it suddenly accelerates, going over the curb and into the group of workers.

The driver sped off after the incident.

The Lincolnton police chief and witnesses said all six of the workers were hospitalized, some with broken bones, but they are expected to recover.

Investigators said the workers had already gone into the Walmart when this happened afterward. Those workers have been spending long hours in fields picking blackberries in the recent 90-degree heat.

A number of migrant workers spoke with reporter Dave Faherty on Monday. Some said they are scared after what happened, and they believe they were targeted.

Jorge Lopez said he heard the rev of the engine and then felt the impact as the SUV hit him and five of his coworkers in the parking lot.

“Came with the truck and hit the coworkers. And he was afraid because he was thinking that he’ll be back with a gun or something to kill them,” he said.

The group has been in western Lincoln County picking blackberries. They said they work six days a week, sometimes 11 hours per day with temperatures soaring into the 90s. They have Sundays off and said they go to the Walmart to cash their checks, send money back home, and buy groceries.

“It hurt, you know. It ain’t right, put it that way, you know,” Thomas Chavez said. “Whoever done it, you know, people don’t realize how hard the people work. They went down there to get a few groceries for the week.”

The workers said earlier that until someone is caught, they’ll be on guard where ever they go.

“He’s afraid of the situation,” Eder Antonio said. “He said that it was a homicide-like attempt. He’s afraid. He came to this country to work.”

In a statement to Channel 9, the FBI confirmed it is helping with the investigation.

“FBI Charlotte is assisting the Lincolnton Police Department with their investigation into a hit and run case that injured six people on July 30, 2023,” the agency said.

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