'I can't forget it': Family thankful to see man arrested for Durham hit-and-run

A Durham family is thankful for police who made an arrest in their loved one's death, but they are now working on forgiveness. Philip Shaw, 72, of Durham, was hit by a car around 11:20 p.m. Tuesday in the 3700 block of Fayetteville Street, according to Durham police.

Posted 6:06 p.m. Apr 27, 2017 — Updated 6:04 p.m. Jul 13, 2018

DURHAM, N.C. — A Durham family is thankful for police who made an arrest in their loved one’s death, but they are now working on forgiveness.

Phillip Shaw, 72, of Durham, was hit by a car around 11:20 p.m. Tuesday in the 3700 block of Fayetteville Street, according to Durham police.

Justin Roger Poindexter, 38, of Durham was arrested Wednesday night and charged with felony hit and run in connection with the incident. He made his first appearance in court on Thursday.

The family said they have found some peace in knowing that the person who killed Shaw will have to answer to a judge but, no matter the consequences, they know it will not bring him back.

"I can't hold that against him because it's not going to bring my brother back," said Vivian Morris. "But I just hate him for what he did."

Morris lived next door to Shaw. She said the 24 hours it took police to charge Poindexter felt like an eternity.

The 911 calls from Tuesday reveal the chaos following the crash.

"He knew he didn't hit a trash can. He knew he didn't hit a dog out there in the street. He knew it was a human being," said Morris.

"I have to forgive him, but I can't forget it. I can't hold a grudge forever because that's not going to bring my brother back."

Durham Police released a photo of the vehicle involved. They're asking anyone who may have seen it just before or after the accident to give them a call.