Raleigh cyclist wants driver who hit him to come forward
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Raleigh police are asking for the public's help finding a driver who hit a cyclist on Glenwood Avenue and fled the scene.
Authorities said it happened Oct. 26 around 5 a.m. near Country Trail.
The cyclist, Joseph Shomaker Grubbs, 39, had serious injuries and was taken to WakeMed.
In 911 calls, Grubbs said he didn't know what kind of car hit him because it came up from behind.
"I remember hearing it and being hit, and there's no one else around now," he said in the call.
Listen to the 911 call:
Speaking from his hospital bed Wednesday, Grubbs told ABC11 he has a long recovery ahead of him
"I feel just unbelievably grateful that I am alive," he said. "People have told me that the injuries I sustained are so severe."
Hobbled by numerous broken bones and held together by dozens of staples, Grubbs Wedneday took his first steps since the crash. He said he can only guess as to why someone wouldn't stop to help him, but he doesn't believe the driver intentionally hit him.
Now, he just wants them to right their wrong.
"I just want them to come forward, you know. And just say, 'Hey, look you know I messed up. It was me. And that would mean more to me than so many other things. Just to know that person is out there and they can stand up and say that they're the one that did it," he explained.
Police said they do not have a description of the vehicle yet.
Anyone with information that might assist the investigation of the hit-and-run crash is asked to call Raleigh CrimeStoppers at (919) 834-HELP or visit raleighcrimestoppers.org for text and email reporting options. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for anonymous tips that help solve cases.
