No charges after missing patient struck, killed by car
Police said Saturday that no charges will be filed in the death of a Wilson man who disappeared from a hospital and was struck and killed by a vehicle.
Posted — UpdatedPolice said that Michael James Hunt, 24, left Wilson Medical Center after being taken there for a psychological exam. Authorities issued a Silver Alert, which notifies the public about missing, endangered adults who suffer from cognitive impairments.
Hunt was struck by a car later that day along N.C. Highway 42 West, about 1½ miles from the medical center. He died Friday at Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville.
Police said they decided not to charge the driver after reconstructing the collision, conducting toxicology tests on Hunt and the driver and consulting with the Wilson County District Attorney's Office.
"Investigators determined that there is no indication of impairment, improper speed or driver error," Sgt. John Slaughter said in a statement.
Traces of chemicals found in marijuana were detected in Hunt's system, he said.
Slaughter said that the reconstruction team determined that Hunt darted from nearby woods into the path of the car. He was wearing dark clothes, and the area is dimly lit after sundown.
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