A Wilmington man has been charged with murder for the hit-and-run death of a tow truck driver Sunday.
North Carolina State Highway Patrol 1st Sgt. T.W. Pope said Anthony Charles Thompson, 50, has been arrested and charged with the second-degree murder of John Junior Colville, 55, of Wilmington.
Colville, an employee of Wayne’s Towing Co., was working on the side of Carolina Beach Road just before 6 p.m. when he was struck by Thompson’s truck, Pope said. Pope said Colville had his emergency lights on as he worked on the shoulder of the road.
Thompson failed to slow down or change lanes, Pope said, adding alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor. Thompson fled the scene and was later arrested near Legion Stadium.
Thompson has been charged with second-degree murder, driving while impaired, habitual impaired driving, driving while license revoked and hit and run with injury. Thompson was taken to the New Hanover County Detention Center, where he was placed under a $1 million secured bond.
Pope said the investigation is ongoing. Thompson’s first court appearance was scheduled for Monday.
