Driver Strikes Two Pedestrians, Apartment Building While Fleeing Gunman

Two pedestrians were injured after being struck by a car Saturday afternoon in Selma.  Police said the driver of the car was attempting to get away from a man pointing a gun at him when he struck the two individuals then crashed into the management building of the Meadowview Apartments on Fourth Avenue.

Romello Reginald Sanders Toleito, 21, of Four Oaks was reportedly driving on Fourth Avenue when one of the pedestrians, Kevin Deshawn Sapp, 32, of Rocky Mount allegedly approached the car and brandished a handgun.  Toleito told police he attempted to flee but instead crashed into Sapp and a second pedestrian, Erving Deshaun Francis Jr., 22, of Selma.

After striking the two men, the 2010 Pontiac Toleito was driving crashed into the apartment complex office causing an estimated $20,000 in damage to the building.

A large crowd began gathering and a reported shotgun blast was heard.

A Selma Police K-9 was brought to the scene to try and locate the handgun allegedly brandished by Sapp but no weapon was recovered.

Sapp was rushed to WakeMed.  Francis was taken to Johnston Medical Center.

While no arrests have been made related to the Saturday’s incident, Toleito, the driver of the car, was arrested on a misdemeanor criminal content warrant from 2016 and released on a $250 bond. Francis was arrested on an unrelated communicating threat warrant issued last Thursday and released on a $500 bond.

Johnston County deputies assisted Selma Police with crowd control and securing the scene. Photos by John Payne