A Saturday evening drive along U.S. 70 in Garner ended with two people in the hospital and a driver on the run, after police say a white Volkswagen SUV ran a red light and T-boned a small blue car at Mechanical Boulevard.
The collision left both people in the smaller car hurt badly enough to be taken to WakeMed in Raleigh, though officers said their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The person behind the wheel of the SUV did not stick around, instead getting out and taking off on foot, according to police, which kicked off an active search in the area.
CBS17 reports the crash was called in just after 6:35 p.m. Officers said the Volkswagen went through a red light at the U.S. 70 and Mechanical Boulevard intersection and slammed into the smaller car, striking it on the driver’s side before leaving the scene. Investigators stayed out at the intersection into the evening, combing through debris and documenting the wreck. So far, authorities have not released any description of the fleeing driver beyond the make and color of the SUV.
Police Search and Witness Plea
Garner police said they are canvassing nearby neighborhoods and businesses and are asking anyone who might have seen something to step up. They are especially interested in dash-cam video from passing drivers and surveillance footage from homes or businesses that might have caught the SUV before or after the impact.
Tipsters are urged to contact the Garner Police Department. Investigators say they plan to follow every lead that could help identify the driver who bolted on foot. No arrests had been announced as of Saturday night while the investigation continues.
Traffic Impact and Timeline
On top of the injuries and manhunt, the crash also jammed up the evening drive. The N.C. Department of Transportation logged lane closures on westbound U.S. 70 while first responders and investigators worked the scene. One westbound lane reopened just before 7:30 p.m., and all lanes were moving again by about 7:50 p.m., according to CBS17.
In all, westbound drivers dealt with close to an hour of disruption on this busy stretch while crews cleared wreckage and officers looked for evidence. Motorists reported backups as traffic squeezed through the remaining open lanes.
Why This Stretch Matters
The intersection at U.S. 70 and the U.S. 401/Mechanical Boulevard area is not just another traffic light on the map. It has been part of ongoing safety and improvement talks for the town, with intersection and lighting upgrades listed for the corridor in recent local reports.
The Town of Garner’s engineering project status highlights planned work along the U.S. 70/401 corridor that aims to cut down on crashes and smooth out traffic flow, an effort town leaders say is meant to tackle a pattern of collisions in the area. Saturday’s wreck is the latest reminder of why officials have put long-term fixes for this stretch high on their to-do list.
Anyone who knows anything about the hit-and-run is urged to contact Garner police. Tips can be shared through the department’s non-emergency line or its online tip portal, and investigators are particularly interested in any dash-cam or surveillance video that may have captured the white SUV around the time of the crash.
