A pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Hickory Hill last Saturday night, a crime that the Memphis Police Department is actively investigating. The collision occurred around 11:00 p.m. at the intersection of Winchester Road and Heather Ridge Drive, leaving a man dead, the Action News 5 reported.
The victim has been identified as Freddy Lopez by his brother, Byron Perez-Lopez. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Perez-Lopez spoke of his grief to WREG, saying, "Well, I feel lost today because I lost my brother," and recalled the heartrending moments before the accident, when Freddy was placing flowers for another loved one by Winchester Road. Perez-Lopez expressed the impact of his loss, "I was wearing these same sandals yesterday when it happened. I left them in the street while running over to him," adding his memory of the dreadful sound of the collision, the sight of his brother on the ground, and a plea to the driver responsible to come forward.
Local authorities have detailed the suspect's vehicle as a burgundy four-door car with significant damage expected on the driver's side and a shattered front windshield. The suspect fled towards Clarke Road following the incident, as noted by both the Memphis Police Department and FOX13 Memphis.
As the Lopez family copes with their loss, they call for increased safety for drivers and pedestrians in the area. His brother remembered Freddy as a good-hearted individual who stayed out of trouble and often helped others. In a recent act of kindness recalled by Perez-Lopez, Freddy assisted someone short on cash at a store. Now, with their favorite family member gone, the Lopez family faces the absence left by a man known for his kindness and is seeking donations for burial expenses. Anyone with information regarding this crash is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers or Sgt. R. Strickland of the Memphis Police Department STIS Bureau at (901) 636-4046, their heartfelt appeal was shared with WREG.
