Family seeks justice in Raleigh hit-and-run

Raleigh, N.C. — Raleigh police are searching for a dark-colored, mid-size pickup truck with damage to its front end Sunday after a hit-and-run wreck killed a woman on South Saunders Street.

Melissa Johnson, 32, was struck while crossing the road near Maywood Drive around 7:15 p.m., police said. She was walking to the store from her home on nearby Summit Avenue.

The truck was last seen traveling southbound on South Saunders Street.

"We have detectives from the field operations division and the special operations division talking to people. This is a top priority for the department, and we're just trying to gather as much information as we can," Sgt. Ethan Brinn said.

Anyone with information is asked to Crime Stoppers at 919-834-HELP.

Melissa Johnson's parents have visited the scene of the wreck. They said they are looking for justice and want the driver to be held accountable for his or her actions.

"I hope they find him. I don't know how anybody could do such a terrible thing. Take away somebody's life like that," Johnson's mother, Tammy Johnson, said Monday. "I love her so much. She means everything to me."

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My condolences go out to the family & the person that struck & killed Melissa. WE don't know what was going on in the driver's mind, and to my recollection at 7:15 on New Year's Day it was raining, would have been dark, and the shine off of the road would lend to reflections. Let's just suppose for one moment that the driver was momentarily distracted and thought they hit some debris and didn't see her...is that possible? Or perhaps upon impact the driver went into shock? Going into shock happens often upon impact in serious car accidents. RPD hardly enforces traffic period. It seems we've had a lot of hit & runs as of late, and people are still speeding 10-15 miles over the speed limit. We need traffic enforced because it has become very dangerous, period. And whether or not folks think our judicial system works, it is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. This is not to take away from the loss or grief of the family, I just hope folks are capable of keeping an open mind

beaulahjackson4
January 11, 2012 4:08 p.m.

Sorry for the lost what the city needs to do is like other major cities install overhead camera from the police head quarter and make them work harder than they're and see thing going on around on this road yes at time south saunders do get dark and a lot of brushes need to be clear near the area on the left near mayview and the quality mark shell gas station and I don't blame the family, hold the city accountable and the driver who done the damage to this victims family lost. I'm so sick that people jus don't have an conscience heart and slow down when people walking on biclycles and so forth but want to enact so much on young drivers who have reckless accident dang make them faceup more for fleeing hit and funs so stuff- rest in peace ms t. Johnson my prayers are with your family

eric416
January 5, 2012 6:56 p.m.

I made comments about the article and situation. If you don't like them, so what? Ignore them. bill0

Its kind of hard when I am on here trying to help the family and you are just antagonizing other people...

pirate09
January 5, 2012 12:50 p.m.

Just a heads up for anyone who would like to help the family out with the funeral/burial expenses. The service is being held tomorrow and until the help from the state comes the family really doesnt have a ton of money for these expenses.

If you would like to help they are taking donations...you can contribute to the Melissa Sue Johnson Fund at State Employees Credit Union. Thanks!

pirate09
January 5, 2012 12:49 p.m.

i saw the story where they said the truck could be a Chevrolet Colorado and on my way home i saw the same exact looking truck (no front end damage) but it was a Isuzu I290. they look identical i googled em.