HUNTINGTON, TX (05/03/2016) — The Huntington Police Department has identified 54-year-old Walter Griggs as the victim of a fatal hit-and-run accident that occurred at the intersection of Highway 69 and South First Street on Tuesday morning.
According to the HPD, at around 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Walter Griggs was walking south along the shoulder of Highway 69 when an SUV came off the highway and struck him.
A nurse who happened to be driving by the accident scene stopped to assist, and said that a man driving a silver or gray 2004 to 2006 Ford Explorer was stopped at the scene. The nurse asked if had had called 911, but he said he had not. She says the man then told her “I got to go” and fled the scene. According to The Huntington Police chief, one of the victim’s shoes was found 40 feet down the road.
Walter Griggs was transported to a nearby area hospital, where he later died.
Shortly after 2:00 p.m. that same day, police located the driver of the Explorer at his home and identified him as 29-year-old Cody Bailey. He is currently being interviewed and undergoing lab work. No charges have been filed at this time.
Commentary
As police continue to investigate this auto-pedestrian collision, we can say that the driver responsible for this accident will likely face criminal charges for failing to stop and render aid, leaving the scene of an injury accident, and potentially, vehicular manslaughter. He may also face enhanced charges if lab tests show that he was intoxicated at the time of the wreck. Unfortunately we will not know for sure until police have completed their investigation.
