06/02/13 — Toddler killed in hit and run

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Toddler killed in hit and run

By Steve Herring
Published in News on June 2, 2013 1:50 AM

MOUNT OLIVE -- The public's help is being sought in locating the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed a 21-month-old boy Friday afternoon after the child apparently wandered to the edge of Garners Chapel Road about 15 miles southeast of Mount Olive.

The child's name has not yet been released.

"We are still looking for a black or dark-colored Chrysler Sebring or Dodge Stratus," said Duplin County Highway Patrol Trooper D.C. Wuebbles. "We know that it is a Chrysler or a Dodge. It will have front right damage near the headlight area."

The vehicle left the scene headed toward Mount Olive, he said.

The child was playing in the front yard at 1983 Garners Chapel Road along with a 14-year-old girl and 4-year-old boy, Wuebbles said.

Wuebbles said it was not known if the driver saw the child or how fast the vehicle might have been traveling.

There were no marks on the highway indicating that the driver had tried to stop, he said.

The accident happened about 6 p.m. while it was still daylight and along a straight stretch of road, Wuebbles said.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Duplin County Highway Patrol at 910-296-1311.