Highway Patrol Continues to Probe Fatal Hit-and-Run

Mebane, N.C. — The Highway Patrol released new information Tuesday about a hit-and-run near Mebane that killed a teenager.

Che Skaggs was at least 10 feet off the road when, authorities said, a car struck and killed him Saturday afternoon at 4503 Claibornes Road. The Highway Patrol said the car's driver, Scott Belling, 47, was drunk when his vehicle hit Skaggs.

Trooper Joseph Sharlow said Belling, 47, drove 5.5 miles to the Three Points Grill after Skaggs was hit, got a cheeseburger to go and left the restaurant. That's when Belling noticed his tire was flat and called 911 from his cell phone, Sharlow said.

"I came up here to get my hamburgers and what not, and there's kids that do their skating and what not in the road, and I think I may have hit one," Belling said in the call to 911. "I'm not sure. I just – a kid kind of came in, and I've got a flat right front tire that tells me something happened with that kid."

Three Points Grill assistant manager Amelia Allen told WRAL on Monday that her waitresses told her about Belling.

“He called 911 and said he had hit a guy down the road," Allen said as she recalled what waitresses told her. "He came in and ordered a cheeseburger and he left saying he was going back to the scene of the accident.”

Sharlow said Belling did not call 911 from inside the restaurant and that it did not appear that he spoke to anyone about the incident.

Belling was charged Saturday with driving while impaired and felony hit-and-run. His was later charged with felony death-by-vehicle. He was being held in the Orange County Jail under a $70,000 bond.

22 Comments

WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

VIEW ALL 22 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Latest Comments

When I first heard about this tragedy it was co-workers telling me about it. I was thinking to myself "what a jerk." I then opened up the link and saw that it was a very good friend and co-worker of mine. I almost passed out. This man is one of the nicest people I know. How do I turn my back on this man, while still acknowledging the fact that a young man is no longer alive in this world?? I make no excuses for the choices that people make, but how do I turn my back on a friend? Alochol is evil and dangerous, and as much as most people don't want to believe, it's a disease. The entire thing that happened is a tragedy that keeps me awake at night. How many people drive drunk and don't get caught? How many people drink to the point of insanity? I know him. I wish I could have stopped this tragedy somehow.

adventureperson
February 14, 2008 3:54 p.m.

"The highway patrol is just beyond honesty and integrity now. I have no confidence in them anymore."

Thanks for the vote of confidence in the ones who DO work hard to do our jobs right. we really appreciate it. Geez.

leo-nc
February 13, 2008 6:03 p.m.

still investigating? follow the trail of fast food paper bags! easy to re-trace him. wonder how he'll like prison food

homer s
February 13, 2008 2:19 p.m.

While sitting in the church for Che's funeral I thought about this man and what he has done to this family and their friends. They are now living a "life sentence" with out a trial, jury or choice! I hope he will be given a life sentence also, but chances are that he won't. He will go on, even if it is in jail. Che will never be 17, never graduate, never marry, never hold his firstborn. That was all taken away by a drunk driver.

just somebody
February 13, 2008 2:14 p.m.

This guy should be in jail for a LONG time if this story is even half true.