Police ID driver of Harrison Road crash that seriously injured 13-year-old boy

Published 10:49 am Tuesday, October 25, 2016

By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Salisbury Police continue to investigate a Monday night crash that seriously injured a 13-year-old boy in the 1800 block of Harrison Road, but have released the identity of the driver.

The boy was taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center where he remains in critical condition.

Edgar Welch, 28, of Salisbury, was traveling the posted 45 mph speed limit, officials said, but it’s still not immediately clear how the accident happened.

Police responded to the area, which is not far from the Food Lion warehouse, just after 7:30 p.m. to find the boy lying on the ground. Capt. Melonie Thompson said it’s not clear if he was riding a skateboard or walking. He was with two other teens. There are no sidewalks near that stretch of road.

The boy was not far from his home in the 2100 block of Harrison Road. He had injuries to his torso, leg and possibly a head injury.

Bystanders, firefighters and police were rendering aid to the boy as police arrived. A T-shirt was used as a turniquet applied to his ankle. Someone used a hooded sweatshirt to apply pressure to his chest area. He possibly had a broken leg.

A helicopter landed in the parking lot of the Food Lion warehouse.

The boy’s stepfather arrived to the scene and was able to provide his identity to authorities. His name has not been released. Police noted there were two skateboards at the scene, both of which were still intact. The skateboards were collected by police and the vehicle towed from the scene.

The driver stayed at the scene, pulling over a block ahead of the crash site. No charges have been filed at this time.