SMITHFIELD, N.C. — A Johnston County man charged in deadly hit-and-run is out of jail after posting bond early Friday morning.
Phillip Lee Hicks, Jr., of Pine Level, was been charged with felonious hit-and-run in the death of 50-year-old Kenneth Ray Pilkington.
Pilkington's body was found in a ditch along Industrial Park Drive by a passerby on Wednesday.
Hicks, and the vehicle he was driving at the time of the hit-and-run, were located in Atlantic Beach. Hicks contacted family members about turning himself in; family members contacted authorities. He was located and voluntarily returned to Smithfield.
Hicks' first court appearance was continued until May 20.



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