Friends and family gather to remember hit-and-run victim

Raleigh, N.C. — Family and friends gathered Tuesday evening to remember a 25-year-old man killed in a hit-and-run in Raleigh on Sunday night.

Police said Kristopher Quick, 25, died when an SUV struck his mo-ped on eastbound Interstate 40 at Gorman Street.

"I don't know how someone can hit somebody, and leave them on the road like that," said Heidi Quick, victim's mother.

The Raleigh Times, where Quick worked as a cook, was closed for lunch Tuesday, as staff, family and friends gathered to remember him.

"He became like family. He was always there for you if you needed him,” said Corey Palakovich, a Raleigh Times chef.

The restaurant held a fundraiser in Quick's honor Tuesday night.

"We just thought it was fitting to celebrate everybody that he has touched, and everything that he has done,” said David McComas, Raleigh Times general manager.

The restaurant served free food and collected donations for Quick's family.

Gavin Clifford Hawk, 28, of 713-A Peace St., was charged with felony hit-and-run in Quick's death. Publicity about the search for a yellow Nissan Xterra with front-end damage led to a tip that resulted in Hawk's arrest Tuesday afternoon, police said.

"I thank you a thousand and one times. My family thanks you. My friends thank you. Thank you whoever you are. Thank you because you took a bad man off the streets,” Heidi Quick said.

News of the arrest was bittersweet to Quick's friends because it won't bring Quick back.

"He touched your heart," Palakovich said.

Friends say Quick lived on the streets in San Francisco before moving to North Carolina. He came to the area about a year ago to reconnect with his mother. She said they hadn't been in contact for 11 years.

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"I thought mopeds were not allowed on interstate highways."

This has got to be repeated because WRAL and every other media outlet got it WRONG. He was not on a "moped". He was on a high CC, street legal scooter. Which is still dangerous. Also, they were repeating that Spyk was here for about a year. He's been here about two years. I've known him since the first month he moved to Raleigh. I watched him walk his sister down the isle at her wedding. Gavin Hawk has a history of speeding to elude. He also ran from the vehicle tailing him to get his tag number after he hit Spyk. He needs to do time but more importantly he never needs to have a license again.

WRALblows
April 29, 2009 5:53 p.m.

"riding a scooter on that road is a ticket. killing someone and not stopping is a FELONY"

It seems to me as if you can't see which act carries a higher penalty.

goodgod
April 29, 2009 4:29 p.m.

I would like to add that I hope Quick's family and friends demand that this felon, Hawk gets prison time. I have been through this awful criminal justice system, losing a child to a drunk driver. You must be loud and clear with the DA's office,you must be the squeaky wheel (that gets the grease), if you want to see some form of justice served. Believe me, this Hawk will have a lawyer who will not care about anything else or anyone else but cutting a plea bargain that is advantageous for his client. Victims' families have a right to voice their wishes and be heard by the DA's office. Stand up for your loved one and do not let his death be in vain.

lvhv2003
April 29, 2009 3:47 p.m.

Gavin Hawk is on 24 months probation as a Class H felon for "speeding to elude arrest" on April 22,2007 according to the NC Department of Corrections Offender Search site. I certainly hope Quick's family and friends emphasize to the prosecutor that this man, Hawk has a criminal history. Hit and run is a serious felony that shows a serious lack of regard for human life. Will he get prison time? I doubt it the way our very broken court system works. My prayers go out to Quick's family and friends. This is a tragic way to die.

lvhv2003
April 29, 2009 3:31 p.m.

just a note, everyone. i am SpyK's friend. the vehicle he was riding was NOT a mo-ped. it was a street-legal scooter capable of 50mph. not that he should have been on the interstate...but it bears clarification so that we can stop all this nonsense.

and for all of you who say he contributed to his own death by being there...maybe so. negligence and bad choices are often only revealed after it's too late, but i would ask that you hold such black/white opinions to yourself. the issue here is that a life was lost and the person who took it was too cowardly to stop and face up to his CRIME. riding a scooter on that road is a ticket. killing someone and not stopping is a FELONY. there's the issue...

thanks to all who have sent condolences and thoughts. we at the Raleigh Times truly appreciate it in this time. it's hard walking into the kitchen and not hearing his voice and knowing that he's just THERE with us.

jaywinfrey
April 29, 2009 3:15 p.m.