Police, family search for answers in hit-and-run

A vehicle ran off Ward Boulevard early Sunday and hit Carlos Blanco, 30, and the driver didn't stop to check on him, police said. A passerby called 911 at 3:20 a.m. Sunday to report a man lying along the road.

"The injuries were pretty severe with the victim. However, any help that's rendered as soon as possible is always beneficial versus leaving somebody," said Sgt. L.T. Marcum of the Wilson Police Department.

Broken bits of a tail light cover and tire tracks could still be seen Monday at the spot where the car hit Blanco.

Blanco's three brothers returned to the site Monday to examine it.

"When (police) told them the news that their brother was dead, it was really sad for them, for everybody, for all the family," said Raquel Rodriguez, a family friend who translated for them.

Blanco was walking home from a friend's house early Sunday, his family said. His brothers called him a loving family man.

"Really, they don't know what happened, so they're just sad," Rodriguez said.

Investigators had few leads in the case Monday. They were looking for any witnesses and for a vehicle that likely sits low to the ground and has front-end damage, possibly on the left side.

"We're pleading for help from the community," Marcum said. "We feel there are people out there that know what happened. It's just a matter of them coming forward and doing their part to serve the community."

Anyone who has seen recent and unexplained damage of a vehicle or has information about the hit-and-run is asked to call Wilson police at 252-399-2323.