GASTONIA, N.C. — Neighbors said they are heartbroken after a man was struck and killed by a Jeep driven by an allegedly impaired driver near the Gaston County library.
The driver, Robert Johnson, is facing second-degree murder, death by motor vehicle, and a DWI. Johnson blew a 0.28, which is three times the limit, according to police.
He already had at least on other DWI charge before the collision on East Garrison Boulevard Monday afternoon. The prosecutor told the judge Johnson had been convicted of DWI in 2021. A judge said on Tuesday that Johnson’s bond is being witheld.
James Stephen Harris, 70, died at the scene after he was hit, according to police.
It appeared Johnson had already been drinking heavily by noon when his 2001 Jeep Cherokee approached the intersection of Churchill Drive and Garrison Boulevard.
That’s where police said he ran a red light then hit and killed Harris. He died at the scene.
‘Very nice man’
People who knew the victim Harris said he was a loving man.
He was a former newspaper reporter and editor who worked for Channel 9’s news partners at the Gaston Gazette, and most recently in his hometown of Elkin.
He was adored by his neighbors in Gastonia.
“Very nice man, very generous,” said resident Valisha Lark.
She said Harris often let her son play basketball at the hoop at Harris’ home.
“Finally, he just said you know what, I don’t have any young kids here, so you can take the basketball goal,” Lark said.
Workers at the dog grooming shop next door said that Harris invited them to church.
“He was phenomenal,” said Tiffany Crawford, operator. “They often saw him walking in the neighborhood.”
He was walking home from the library before the crash.
“He has walked that path thousands of times,” Crawford said.
A witness said James Harris was leaving the library and was crossing the street when the Jeep Cherokee hit him.
“I’m a mom and I’m a teacher and I want to help people and when you see something like that you can’t walk away. You have to be there,” said witness Jessica Harris.
Police got a court order to take blood from Johnson, because they suspect he may have been impaired by other substances.
The investigation is ongoing.
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