Man in road hit, killed

CHINA GROVE — A Rockwell man who was lying in the street was run over and killed Thursday evening by a driver who fled the scene.

Wayne Demeatris Fowler Jr. 33, of 5505 Phaniels Church Road died around 8:20 p.m. on South Bostian Street.

Witnesses said Fowler was lying in the northbound lane of South Bostian Street near the China Grove Post Office, Police Chief Michael Bentley said.

A small dark colored or black car traveling north crested the hill at Chapel Street and struck Fowler.

Bentley said the car dragged Fowler 54 feet before his body came out from under the car.

The driver continued on.

Witnesses told police that they had seen Fowler walking south on South Bostian street minutes before the incident.

He was wearing a dark-colored, denim jacket and red ball cap.

Bentley said witnesses also said they saw him staggering. Police are awaiting a toxicology report.

A resident of the area who saw the accident called 911.

Police and emergency personnel found Fowler curled into a fetal position.

Bentley said he had no information that indicated the driver stopped before driving off.

Although the area was relatively dark, Bentley said, “There is no way they could have hit this guy and not have known it.”

Police found broken glass from the car’s head lamp or turn signal at the scene.

The speed limit in the area is 35 mph. No skid marks were found.

At this point, police do not know if the driver was speeding.

By leaving the scene of the accident, the driver now faces a felony hit-and-run charge. If it is determined the driver was speeding or committed some other infraction, he or she could face a death by vehicle charge.

Had the driver remained at the scene, they would likely not have faced any charges, the chief noted.

Bentley said he is sure the driver panicked.

According to police, Fowler had a girlfriend and child. He had been working for a temporary service in Salisbury.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact the police at 857-7755.

Sgt. Tim Harrington is heading the investigation. Police officers were on the scene about four hours.

Car crashes into apartment

A few hours after police left South Bostian Street, a driver struck a car and crashed into an apartment and then fled the scene.

Around 4:50 a.m. today, a black, full-size Ford pickup hit a Honda car parked at the Benchmark Apartments off South Bostian.

Officer J.P. Whitley said witnesses said the the pickup continued on and rammed through the window and front wall of Apartment 511.

A witness told police that the driver got out of the vehicle and assessed the damage, got back into the vehicle and left.

A witness said the truck went north on South Bostian Street.

Police and emergency officials ordered the apartment evacuated.

The names of the occupants were not immediately available.

Owners of the apartments and building inspectors were expected to assess the damage to the building later today.

Officer Whitley estimated damage to the 1990 Honda at $2,000.

The vehicle belongs to Toni Gibson Stancil of 509 Benchmark Lane.