Hit-and-Run Suspect Was in U.S. Illegally

Four Oaks, N.C. — The suspect in a hit-and-run accident that killed a Johnston County boy Sunday was in the country illegally, immigration officials confirmed Friday. 

Hipolito Hernandez, 30, listed a local address of Parkertown Road in Four Oaks.

He is charged with second-degree murder, 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.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Richard Rocha said Friday that Hernandez would be remanded to ICE custody after his state charges are settled.

State troopers said Marcus Lassiter, 7, had been playing in his grandmother's front yard and 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. His family decided to remove him from life support, and he died Monday night.