CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — A Catawba County man is facing several charges after he allegedly struck and killed another man in a hit-and-run Saturday morning in Hickory, police said.
Officials with the Hickory Police Department said they responded to a hit-and-run call around 8:30 a.m. in the 3100 block of U.S. Highway 70 Southeast.
Authorities said the victim, 58-year-old Charles Thomas Shook Jr., was pronounced dead at the scene.
"The greatest guy in the world,” Shook’s friend, Dennis Wilhelm, said. “Loved everybody. Hard worker. Best friend I ever had. Be greatly missed."
Police said 55-year-old Jeffrey Blain Bumgarner was arrested in connection with the crash and faces charges of felony death by motor vehicle, driving while impaired and additional traffic violations.
Court documents showed that Bumgarner admitted to being involved in the accident and taking 70 milligrams of methodone before the crash.
Court records show Bumgarner has been convicted three times for DWI but all of the cases are more than 20-years-old.
Bumgarner was charged with felony death by motor vehicle, DWI and hit-and-run.
"He should get everything he deserves,” Wilhelm said. “You know, these people shouldn't be on the highway. Justice needs to be served."
Bumgarner’s bond has been set at $30,000 and he is being held in the Catawba County Detention Facility, officials said.
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