10/17/12 — Man hit while crossing U.S. 70

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Man hit while crossing U.S. 70

By John Joyce
Published in News on October 17, 2012 1:46 PM

A Virginia man was airlifted to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville Tuesday night, after being struck by a vehicle on U.S. 70 East near Wood Peck Road just west of the Elroy Fire Station.

William Ray Stolins, 47, was in stable condition, but suffered two broken legs after being hit while standing in the road at about 8:35 p.m, said Highway Patrol Trooper L.J. Bunn.

Stolins was wearing dark clothing and standing in the middle of the lane, Bunn said.

The driver, 20-year-old Lenwood Brent Kelly of 102 Meadowlark Road, was not charged.

"The speed limit there is 55, and since he was slowing down to turn I estimate he was doing about 40-45 when he hit him," Bunn said.

Kelly told the trooper that he didn't see Stolins until he hit him. He then got out of his car, checked on Stolins and called 911.

Stolins is at least the third pedestrian to be struck by a vehicle along that section of road in the past year. One, a 12-year-old girl, died from her injuries after being struck by a drunken driver in August.