GASTONIA, N.C. — A 70-year-old man was hit and killed by an SUV outside the Gaston County Public Library Monday, police said.
The incident occurred on East Garrison Boulevard, and the driver of the SUV stopped after the collision.
According to investigators, 30-year-old Robert Johnson was driving a 2001 Jeep Cherokee when he hit and killed James Harris as he was crossing the street.
‘Shaken up’
Witness Jessica Harris was at the traffic light when it happened.
“I’m definitely shaken up,” she said. “It’s not something that you ever want to see.”
She had just bought groceries.
The older man leaving the library caught her eye.
“I saw the gentleman walking down the sidewalk with his library book and I literally had the thought, ‘He just looks very sweet.’ He had a smile on his face,” she said.
The crash happened seconds later.
Harris and two people passing by stopped to help.
“So, I wanted to make sure that if anybody had any questions of if the gentleman needed any assistance,” Harris said. “I didn’t want to just leave.”
She added, “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 want to be there.”
She called 911 but there was little any of them could do.
On Monday, police announced that Johnson had been arrested. He has been charged with second-degree murder, driving while impaired, aggravated felony death, and failing to stop at a steady red light.
However, the investigation into this incident is active and ongoing.
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