Driver charged, second driver sought in fatal hit-and-run

Raleigh, N.C. — Police on Thursday charged one driver in a hit-and-run in north Raleigh that killed a pedestrian early Wednesday, and they continued to search for the driver whose car they believe hit the pedestrian first.

At least four vehicles hit Lewis Avery Gray, 71, of Raleigh, Wednesday morning as he tried to cross Falls of Neuse Road near its intersection with Spring Forest Road, police said. There was no crosswalk where Gray was hit, they said.

Carlos Humberto Agustindiaz, who was driving a truck for Apex-based Parker’s Landscape Services, was charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run, police said.

Police initially thought the landscaping truck was responsible for Gray's death, but they later determined a blue Chevrolet SUV hit Gray first. The SUV driver stopped briefly before driving off, police said, and investigators were still searching for him Thursday.

Two other vehicles also hit Gray, but the drivers remained at the scene and weren't charged, police said.

Police said they believe a bicyclist was riding south on Falls of Neuse Road and was near the intersection at the time Gray was initially hit. Investigators said they want to talk to the bicyclist to determine if he or she saw anything.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Raleigh Police Department’s Field Operations Division at 919-996-3350.

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In my opinion that is a very dangerous intersection. It seems to be a magnet for accidents. Why does the fact that someone just drove off and left this poor man to die not suprise me anymore. Something is really wrong with that.Our thoughts and prayers are with this poor man and his family who loved him. I am so sorry that there are such bad people in this world. God Bless!

xchief661
March 12, 2009 9:08 p.m.

FatherMott, I know a gentleman that is looking for a job and, needs a job and he can do landscaping. Where is your company located? He is an American, born and raised and wants a job.

bronzegoddess40
March 12, 2009 8:48 p.m.

You are all missing 1 huge point. As a local landscaper, I would love to have American workers, but they do not want to do the work. We are in the need of workers, but no Americans apply. Americans feel that they are above the work. Also with the high unemployment rate there is no H2B program this year...that is too bad, because we need them. They come back year after year for 5-6 years in a row and are away from their families for 10 months out of the year. Show me an American worker that will do the work and I will hire, but ther are just not there!!!

Father Mott
March 12, 2009 8:30 p.m.

Lew Gray was a wonderful man, know by many in the North Raleigh COmmunity. I never once heard him say a negative word to anyone or fail to have a smile for all he met. He deserved better

mlavoie
March 12, 2009 8:08 p.m.

*Freedomrings* I can appreciate your intentions, however, currently 10% of the population of NC is unemployeed. Why would there be a need to 'import' workers on visas and have a good portion of those wages go to Mexico when many US Citizens would jump at the opportunity to work for a landscaping company effectively keeping the money locally and stimulating economic growth? I can easily see how the anomosity grows towards aliens - visa or no visa- and those who employ them. The lack of hiring US Citizens could very well be the undoing of many landscaping companies as those you service need to cut back due to the economic downturn. Maybe it's time some of those landscaping companies did their part by hiring US Citizens.

chance
March 12, 2009 7:43 p.m.