PRINCETON – The family of an 83 year-old woman struck and killed while trying to cross the road in front of her home wants the person responsible to come forward.
Around 5:00pm Friday, Christine Toler Willoughby was trying to cross Old Cornwallis Road in front of her home to check her mailbox. A hit and run driver struck and killed the 83 year-old woman and never stopped. An EMS crew pronounced her dead at the scene.
State troopers are releasing limited information about the fatal accident. Trooper D. Purdie told JoCoReport the driver fled from the scene after the collision. Purdie said the investigation was still ongoing. Troopers declined to release information on the hit and run vehicle or a description of the driver.
Charles Willoughby said his mother leaves behind one son and three daughters. “She was taken from us too early. She was a good lady.”
Mr. Willougby said his mother was a retired textile worker, having worked many years at the Gerald Plant. She loved her family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She also enjoyed shopping and making a yearly trip to the mountains. “My mother never met a stranger. She would give you the shirt off her back. She loved everybody, no matter who you were, where you came from, what color your skin was, she loved everybody,” he added.
The Highway Patrol is asking anyone who may have any information about the fatal hit and run accident on Old Cornwallis Road near Princeton to contact troopers at the Smithfield District Office at 919-934-2186.
“We want this person to pay dearly for my mother’s death,” Mr. Willoughby said Monday. “You can even call it murder. The person never even stopped.”
“Somebody knows something. We know somebody knows something. We really urge them to reach out to the State Highway Patrol to help my mother have justice.”
Christine Willougby was a member of Tee’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held at the church on Wednesday, Nov. 20th at 6:00pm.
