CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Charleston police have released a photo caught on surveillance of a possible suspect’s vehicle involved in a hit and run.
The accident happened when a St. Albans man was killed along Corridor G on Route 119 Thursday at around 12:30 a.m.
Carl Epling, 42, was the victim struck by a small silver vehicle, police said. The driver then took off.
“He was with his girlfriend and the two of the were walking from out around the Ruthlawn area to her residence in South Charleston,” said Sgt. Randy Sampson.
Sampson said the vehicle had to swerve half-way into the safety lane to reach Epling who was well away from the white line of the road. Epling’s girlfriend, who hasn’t been identified, was not injured, but when police arrived she was emotionally distraught and couldn’t provide investigators many clues on the vehicle.
“It happened so quick and with it being dark, she really didn’t see much of anything at all,” said Sampson. “She thought it might be a dark-colored car, but she wasn’t even certain of that. When we were speaking with her, she was pretty shaken up.”
Police received a report from a motorist who was unaware of the incident that a vehicle with no lights exited U.S. Route 119 at the Davis Creek intersection only moments after the incident.
Epling later died at CAMC General.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the traffic division of the Charleston Police Department at 304-348-6470.