TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — Winston-Salem police are looking for a driver who they say hit a Taylorsville pastor Tuesday night and then drove off.
Officers said Christopher Meade had just finished eating dinner around 8 p.m. at the Texas Roadhouse when he walked out of the restaurant parking lot and stepped into traffic on Hanes Mall Circle.
A white SUV hit him and didn’t stop, according to police.
Meade is the pastor of Crosspoint Church in Taylorsville.
"Just in shock. You don't know what to say,” said Jason Mull, a member of the church.
Meade was taken to Baptist Hospital with life-threatening injuries, officials said.
Police are looking for a white SUV with damage to the front right side of the vehicle and with possible damage on the right side of the vehicle.
More than 400 people attend Crosspoint Church most Sundays at the local high school.
The youth room at the church attracts dozens of children at the church’s headquarters. Miles away, the church built a park along Highway 127 with hopes to relocate there someday.
"We got the whole church family praying for him right now,” church member Aron Gwaltney said.
Meade picked up a dozen roses at a flower shop in downtown Taylorsville for 12 people who were baptized on Mother’s Day.
“He's selfless, kindhearted, caring, compassionate guy who has impacted many, many lives in this community," Mull said.
Friends of Meade said he worked in the school system, beginning as a kindergarten teacher and later becoming a principal in Alexander County.
Church members said they are prepared to forgive the person responsible for the accident but they hope the driver turns himself or herself in to authorities.
"To hurt a man like this, a man of God, that does so much for his community, he does need to come forward," Mull said.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 336-773-7700 or contact Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800.