New charges in hit and run case

DURHAM Cornelius Lee Baldwin, 26, is facing a charge of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury in addition to hit and run, eluding police, and reckless driving.

According to police, Baldwin ran a red light and crashed into a car driven by 84-year-old Walter B. Paschall on June 24.

It happened at the intersection of Hillsborough Road and 15-501 in Durham.

Shortly before the crash, an officer said he tried to pull over Baldwin for speeding on NC 147 but was not able to because he was dodging in and out of traffic.

The officer proceeded to follow Baldwin as he exited the freeway and turned on his emergency lights, alerting him to pull over.

That's when Baldwin allegedly failed to stop, ran a traffic light, crashed into Paschall, who was travelling east on Hillsborough Rd.

The 84-year-old was taken to Duke Medical Center with a broken pelvis and two punctured lungs. He is now home recovering.

Baldwin allegedly got out of the car and ran after the crash. He was arrested later. His bond was originally set at $100,000. A judge later lowered it to just $10,000 and Baldwin bonded out.

That despite a record that shows he's been charged with driving with a revoked license twice. A reckless driving charge was dismissed.

Baldwin's release didn’t' sit well with Paschall's family, and they questioned the low bond amount. Baldwin's new bond is set at $30,000. His next court appearance is set for July 20.

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