Driver ID'd in Johnston Hit-and-Run Case

Four Oaks, N.C. — The alleged driver in a Johnston County hit-and-run Sunday night has been positively identified Tuesday by the North Carolina Highway Patrol as Hipolito Hernandez, 30, of Parkertown Road in Four Oaks.

Hernandez originally gave a false name to the arresting officers, but state troopers who had dealt with him before recognized him and were able to identify him, Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Everett Clendenin said.

State troopers said Marcus Lassiter, 7, was trying to cross Heath Road when a car driven by Hernandez struck him.

The child’s leg was broken and he had brain damage.

Lassiter's aunt, Mary Ann Cooley, said the family made the decision to remove Marcus from life support, and he died late Monday night.

The suspect has used several aliases with different birth dates and middle names, so the Highway Patrol is hoping federal immigration authorities can help with more definitive information, including whether the man might be in the country illegally.

Hernandez is charged him with felony hit-and-run, felony assault, driving while intoxicated, possession of a stolen vehicle, driving without a license, speeding and reckless driving in the death of the child. He remained in jail Wednesday, held on a $1 million bond.

Prosecutors said they plan to charge Hernandez with second-degree murder Thursday.

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Latest Comments

I guess my last post was too much to the point---and deleted.

Charge him with Capital Murder with a Death Penalty. That should be "enough" of a wake up call to ANY community to get their act together and STOP DRIVING DRUNK.

I really don't care what culture you come from---if you're drinking and driving---that should make it PREMEDITATED MURDER.

CuriousT
April 16, 2008 6:52 p.m.

I was hit by an illegal last year in Wilmington. He gave the responding officer his insurance which we found out later had been canceled a month earlier after he had bought his car. The officer apparently has no way of knowing if the insurance is valid or not. My insurance had to pay for the accident even though it was not my fault and he got off scott free.

shawna
April 16, 2008 6:45 p.m.

Why won't this country do something about illegal immigration? Simple -- because anyone who wants to throw all the illegals out and/or build a real wall between the US and Mexico is immediately branded a racist -- the single worst thing that can happen to you in this country.

Political correctness was the beginning of the end of our country.

rargos
April 16, 2008 6:42 p.m.

Our lawmakers and our Judges don't want to pass harsh judgement on something they do themselves. If someone else can give me a better explanation, one that makes perfect sense, then please enlighten me.

USA
April 16, 2008 6:14 p.m.

He deserves the death penalty for this. You would think that this would send a message to our government but sadly it most likely will not. How much longer do we have to deal with this problem before our government will take action. Praying for the family.