Woman Charged in Hit-And-Run Knew Victim's Mom

Andrew Lee, 18, of Kenly, was riding his bike northbound in the southbound lanes on Oct. 19 along U.S. Highway 301 near the Wilson-Johnston County line when he was struck by a car. Investigators said the vehicle did not stop to help Lee or report the accident.

The state Highway Patrol said Allison Kirby Thomas was arrested shortly before dawn Tuesday, based on an anonymous tip. They also found the vehicle, a 1992 Ford Thunderbird, they believe struck Lee. Thomas, 29, told troopers she thought she had hit a deer.

"They said she came to a complete stop after she hit him, She ran over the bicycle. She knew what she did," Kris Lee said.

The victim's brother, Kris, also said Thomas used to wait on Lee and his mother at a Waffle House restaurant. He said Thomas had been asking the family about Lee and had expressed concern.

"They went up there and she was asking how Andrew was and acting like she really cared, but to hide it for a month you know she didn't care, she was just trying to cover herself," he said.

The victim's brother said it appeared Thomas was making plans to have her car towed from behind her house and crushed. Instead, troopers confiscated the Thunderbird.

"She left him there to die. She had plans on crushing the car," Kris Lee said. "I hope she sits in jail for a long time."

Thomas was charged with felony hit-and-run and careless and reckless driving. She was also charged with driving without insurance.

Thomas' vehicle was taken to the State Bureau of Investigation crime lab for further analysis. She was being held Tuesday in the Wilson County Jail on $10,000 bond.

Family members said Lee suffered brain damage and could be hospitalized for a year. He was unable to speak until recently, when he uttered a few words to his family.