UPDATE: Monday, Jan. 5, 11:30 p.m.
The Wilmington Police Department released further details about 32-year-old Russell Hampton Parker’s death after he was struck and killed by a vehicle in the 1700 block of Wrightsville Avenue around 7:53 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 3.
WPD spokeswoman Cathryn Lindsay said Parker was either walking or standing in the westbound lane of Wrightsville Avenue near Lumina Commons when a vehicle struck him traveling west. The impact killed Parker and sent him into the eastbound lane where he was struck by another car traveling east.
Lindsay said alcohol and speed were not factors for either of the drivers. Lindsay also said Parker was wearing dark clothing and was not immediately visible to the westbound vehicle. While it has not be confirmed by toxicology reports yet, Lindsay said alcohol may have been a factor on Parker’s part.
Charges have not been filed yet as the investigation is ongoing.
ORIGINAL POST:
A Â man died after colliding with a vehicle near the Lumina Commons Harris Teeter, off Wrightsville Avenue, late Jan. 3.
Wilmington Police Department Cpl. Adam Schwartzel said the Wilmington Police Department, Â Wilmington Fire Department and emergency medical services personnel responded to a 7:53 p.m. call of an accident involving a car traveling westbound on Wrightsville Avenue and a pedestrian off Southerland Avenue behind the Harris Teeter.
EMS responded within minutes, Schwartzel said, by which time Russell Hampton Parker, the 32-year-old pedestrian involved in the accident, was pronounced dead on the scene.
No charges have been filed against any parties involved in the accident, but an investigation led by the Wilmington Police Department is ongoing.
“That’s what we’ve got to figure out. If the pedestrian was in the wrong, then the driver won’t be charged,” Schwartzel said.
On Facebook, Parker listed his occupation as a commercial fisherman out of Wrightsville Beach and his hometown as Mount Olive, N.C. Parker was due in New Hanover County District 5 Court Feb. 23, 2015 for a traffic incident that occurred in February 2014 in Wilmington. Parker was charged with reckless driving, felony habitual impaired driving, driving during revocation and fictitious or altered license plate, tags or registration from the Feb. 2014 incident.
Check back for more information on this developing story.
I find it extremely distasteful and tacky you felt it was necessary to shadow the tragedy of his untimely death with blabbing his personal legal woes in the midst of announcing his death. Absolutely senseless, disrespectful, and shameful on the lumina news’ part.
And yes, I do know him personally, and his entire family.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. I’m thankful for the time we spent offshore commercial fishing. Rest in Peace Russell.