WILMINGTON — The Wilmington Police Department has issued warrants for the arrest of a man who struck a bicyclist, verbally assaulted him, and fled the scene, later claiming he was late for work.
According to the Wilmington Police Department (WPD), Wilmington resident Robert Patrick Emerson, 28, struck the bicyclist around noon on Dec. 6, while crossing the intersection of Wrightsville Avenue and Country Club Road. The bicyclist ran a red light and crossed Emerson’s path.
WPD said at least two witnesses reported the incident, “according to witnesses, as Emerson approached the intersection, he sped through his yellow light. The front bumper of Emerson’s car struck the victim’s front tire, launching the victim into the air. The victim landed on the windshield of the car and rolled off the hood into traffic.”
According to these witnesses, “the victim began to move his bike out of the roadway when the suspect verbally assaulted him. The suspect then swerved around the victim, who was still in the roadway with his damaged bike, and fled the scene.”
The witnesses followed Emerson and got his license plate number, then returned to the accident scene and gave the bicyclist a ride to get his bike repaired.
WPD was able to contact Emerson by phone. Emerson admitted to the hit and run, telling officers he had fled the scene because he was late to work.
WPD has not yet arrested Emerson but has secured warrants for hit and run leaving the scene with property damage.
By law, bicyclists are required to obey traffic laws. However, WPD stated they will not charge the victim for failing to stop at the red light.
