Police say that 48-year-old Jeffrey Matlick of Geneseo, Ill. was walking in the 500 block of Carolina Beach Avenue when he was struck by a vehicle driven by 74-year-old Erwin Williams of Carolina Beach. Williams fled the scene after striking Matlick. Rescue workers arrived and performed life-saving measures but were ultimately unsuccessful in saving Matlick.
Police later located Williams. He was arrested and charged with felony death by motor vehicle, hit-and-run causing death, and driving while impaired. He was being held in the New Hanover County Jail on a $100,000 bond as of Monday.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family of Jeffrey Matlick during this difficult time.
Fatal Hit-and-Runs
North Carolina reports approximately 1,400 deadly accidents each year on our roadways. Hit-and-run collisions can be devastating both for victims as well as their families. A hit-and-run accident often causes serious injuries and even death. These crashes tend to have some of the worst outcomes that we see in crashes throughout our state.
If you have suffered the loss of your loved one in a North Carolina car accident, you may have important legal rights. Under our law, a wrongful death claim may be filed against a negligent driver within two years after the victim’s death. A wrongful death claim allows a family member to recover payments for lost wages of the deceased, the loss of companionship, as well as payment of funeral and medical bills.
At Burton Law Firm, North Carolina wrongful death attorney Jason M. Burton stands by ready to assist at any time. For a free consultation, please give us a call at (833) 623-0042.
Disclaimer: Our team of personal injury lawyers at Burton Law Firm has taken pride in being active members of our local business community for more than 8 years. We are always striving to improve the quality of life for our community members and improve the overall safety and well being of all North Carolinians. We hope that by providing this information about the dangers of driving that we will bring added awareness and drivers will use increased caution when operating a motor vehicle. Our thoughts are with everyone who may have been affected by this incident. This post is not a solicitation for business. None of the information in this post should be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. The photos in this post are not a depiction of the actual accident scene.
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