Investigation Ongoing As Hit And Run Vehicle Remains Unidentified In Pedestrian Death

SELMA — The State Highway Patrol continues to search for the vehicle involved in a fatal hit-and-run collision that killed a pedestrian last Saturday night.

The crash occurred around 9:12 p.m. on January 10 on Crocker Street near Pine Level–Selma Road. The pedestrian, Frank Joseph Lotruglio, 56, of Smithfield, was walking south with a friend when he was struck by a southbound vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities initially seized a vehicle in connection with the investigation, but First Sgt. Michael A. Goldsmith of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed Thursday that it is no longer considered connected to the crash. Troopers have also located and examined several vehicles that were captured on nearby security cameras in the same time frame as the collision. These vehicles were ruled out after inspection.

Johnston County Troopers are now asking for the public’s help in identifying the vehicle responsible. Anyone with information is urged to call the Highway Patrol Communications Center in Raleigh at 919-733-3861, *HP (*47) on a cell phone, or the Johnston County Highway Patrol Smithfield Office at 919-934-2186.

Authorities stress that anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information about the suspect vehicle should come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.