Francisco M. Martinez, 23, of Linda Jane Lane, was charged with seven counts of felony hit-and-run and one count of driving with a revoked license, according to the highway patrol. More charges are pending.
A Salem, Va., woman, 74-year-old Lula Kelly, died in the accident. She had been riding with her son and his family on N.C. 42 near Johnny Burke Road.
Martinez' Ford LTD crossed the center line, hit the Kelly car and sent it into a second vehicle.
Martinez fled the scene in his vehicle.
Just moments before the crash, however, other drivers had noticed a vehicle being driven erratically and at least one person was trying to report it by carphone.
Consequently, a license plate number was quickly available for law officers.
The car was found in Martinez' backyard.
Six people were taken to area hospitals. Michael and Megan Kelly and their two sons were treated and released.
Stephen Cass was driving the car hit by the Kellys. Cass is in stable condition; his wife Bobby was treated and released.
Officials ask that anyone with information about the accident call the Highway Patrol at 733-3861.
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