Bartender hit while walking to work, Wilmington Police searching for driver

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington Police are searching for the driver of a car who hit a man and then drove away.

It happened Saturday night at the intersection of South Third and Dock Streets around 8:00 p.m.

According to a news release, multiple witnesses said the victim, Justin Sartain, was in the middle of the intersection when the suspect failed to yield while turning left onto South Third Street from Dock Street.

Police say Sartain, who was walking to work, had the right of way when the suspect struck him, ejecting him into the air onto the top of the vehicle.

Sartain rolled off the hood of the car and into the street. As he was laying in the street, the suspect drove away from the scene, running over him, shattering his foot and ankle.

“I didn’t know what was happening,” he said. “I heard a crunch, like a football helmet colliding, and then as soon as the windshield smashed, or some kind of glass smashed, that’s when I realized I was being hit by a car. Because it happened so fast, I didn’t get to see the car coming at me.”

EMS transported Sartain to New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Sartain told WWAY that being able to walk to work is the highlight of his day. Now, he says he won’t be able to work for 4-6 weeks or longer if he has to have surgery.

The suspect vehicle is described as a white Chevrolet, possibly a Cruze, with dark tinted windows.

Anyone with information should contact Wilmington Police at (910) 343-3609 or use Text A Tip.