A Newton Grove man has been identified as the victim of a hit-and-run fatality that occurred just before 3:30 a.m. last Sunday, Aug. 2.

Abimael Lopez, 25, of 946 Cedar Point Road, Newton Grove, was killed after he was struck by a car while walking in the southbound lane of Lassiter Road Sunday.

Lopez’s body was later found along the side of the road at 4:45 a.m. by a newspaper delivery person.

Investigators with the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) believe that the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run is a possible Honda with obvious damage to the left front quarter panel. Officers continue to search for a suspect and are asking the public for information in assisting with the fatal accident.

Lopez was the 15th traffic death of 2009 on Sampson County roadways.

“We want to find out who did this,” N.C. Highway Patrol First Sgt. D.L. Hewitt said earlier this week. “And hopefully, someone will call in and help us with information.”

If you have any information concerning this fatality, you are asked to call Trooper David Kidd at 592-3141.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.