Statesville police continue search for car after deadly hit-and-run
by: Brittney Johnson Updated: Jul 5, 2016 - 5:28 AM
STATESVILLE, N.C. —
Statesville police officers are using DNA samples to track down a driver involved in a deadly hit-and-run crash.
Around 5:45 a.m. Monday, two cars crashed at the intersection of Buffalo Shoals Road and Garner Bagnal Boulevard.
One of the cars crashed through a fence before stopping. Police say that is when the driver took off. Thomas Martin said he watched as emergency crews pulled a man from wrecked car.
"When I saw the car, I knew it wasn't good," Martin said.
Police said the driver of a blue Chevrolet Cavalier was heading west on Garner Bagnal Boulevard as a driver in a gray Toyota was heading south on Buffalo Shoals Road when the two collided.
The man driving the Cavalier died. His family told police he was on his way to work. Officials identified him as Reynaldo Hernandez, 43.
"Someone lost their life today, and it's pitiful," Martin said.
When police checked the Toyota, which was also badly damaged, it was empty. Whoever was inside ran from the scene.
"We are doing everything we can to find the person and bring them to justice for this," Statesville Police Capt. Paul Bullard said.
Investigators said the car had a strong odor of marijuana and they spent more than seven hours on the scene, swabbing the seats and airbags for DNA and any clues to lead them to the person behind the wheel.
"He needs to be put away. A human life is a human life," Donald Fields Ervin, who lives nearby, said.
Ervin said he lost a loved one in a wreck at the very same spot.
"It's one right after the other up there," he said.
Police said the wreck happened in a heavily traveled area, but they don't have any eyewitnesses to help them figure out who is responsible for this deadly crash.
Investigators said it's not clear which car ran the red light and caused the crash. They are checking with local hospitals. Due to the extensive damage to the car, they believe the driver who ran may be injured