ONLY ON 3: Friends of hit-and-run victim help police arrest suspect

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — When Gary Routier heard that his friend was severely injured in a hit-and-run crash, he says he knew he had to find the suspect. Two days later, police say he did.

Wilmington Police say Jon Booth pulled out in front of John “Wally” Walrath on Sunday at the intersection of Wrightsville Avenue and Greenville Avenue. Booth was arrested by Wilmington Police; he’s since been released from jail on a $3,500 bond.

Routier said he and a group of friends began interviewing witnesses of the crash. Routier then got permission to look at surveillance video of a business nearby when they were able to get an image of the suspected pickup truck. He says within two hours of getting the image of the vehicle, a friend tracked down the truck. They contacted the police and investigators arrested Booth Tuesday afternoon.

Routier said Walrath is recovering from injuries in the hospital. Routier said Walrath was riding on his motorcycle when Booth left the scene of the crash.

“They left him in the road to die,” Routier said. “I mean somebody hit him and just left him, and he’s a blue collar worker. If he’s not working, he’s not making a dime. It’s just. You gotta find somebody, I don’t know why. I still can’t understand why he left.”

Routier says they are trying to help Wally out with finances while he is in the hospital unable to work.

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