Chapel Hill police looking for suspect in bicyclist hit-and-run
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- Chapel Hill police are searching for the person who hit a bicyclist with a vehicle in a hit-and-run.
Officers said it happened Sunday night in the 500 block of Hillsborough Street near Bolinwood Drive.
An eyewitness reports the vehicle was a light colored, small SUV.
It was between 10 p.m. and 11p.m. when officials say the SUV tried to pass a cyclist near the bottom of the hill on Hillsborough Street, but ended up striking the man.
Chapel Hill police are not releasing the identity of the victim at this time, but did say the victim is a male in his early 20's. They're not sure whether or not he's a student at UNC Chapel Hill.
According to authorities the victim's injuries are not life threatening as of Monday morning.
Cyclists and residents near the scene said they're sad to hear about the incident, but not everyone was shocked that it happened.
Harry Wasnak is a UNC student who lives on Bolinwood Drive. He said he was first person at the scene there Sunday night. He's not surprised about the accident.
"Bolingwood and Hillsborough Street are some of the worst streets in Chapel Hill for this kind of stuff because people always speed on them," Wasnak said.
"It's kind of concerning to me as a parent of two kids," Tim Atkins, said, a Chapel Hill resident who was riding the bike trail near Bolinwood Drive with his two elementary-school aged daughters.
"I mean it's not super surprising that somebody gets hit around here. I mean there's steep hills and blind corners," UNC student and cyclist David Finley said.
Authorities are asking everyone to be the lookout for the light colored SUV that may have some damage on the front right side.
They're asking anyone with information to call crime stoppers at (919) 942-7515. Calls can be made anonymously and information leading to an arrest may receive a $2,000 reward.
