MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The word of a Sunday morning fatal hit and run accident spread quickly on social media and helped Morgantown police find the man they believe was driving the truck, authorities said.
Alex Hambrick, 19, of Winfield, a 2015 Ripley High School graduate and WVU student, turned himself in at police headquarters Monday afternoon. His black pick-up truck allegedly hit University of Mississippi student Carli Sears as she walked on the sidewalk with friends on Stewart Street in Morgantown at 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Sears, 20, of Charleston, a George Washington High School graduate, was visiting friends.
The community helped in the investigation, Morgantown Police Chief Ed Preston said.
“Individuals showing their concern through social media got the word out about the fatal hit-and-run. What we had originally with the truck description got out there as quickly as we could,” Preston said. “That led to officers being able to locate the truck. We started processing it and that led to the apprehension of Mr. Hambrick.”
The truck was not found at a WVU residence hall, Preston said.
Hambrick is charged with hit-and-run causing a death under Erin’s Law, a felony that carries a 1-5 year prison term.
Sears was a junior at Ole Miss majoring in hospitality management.
“The University of Mississippi community mourns the tragic loss of Carli Sears,” said University of Mississippi vice chancellor for student affairs Brandi Hephner LaBanc. “We are simply heartbroken by the news.”
A memorial page has been established on Facebook.
Hambrick knew police were looking for him, Preston said.
“He turned himself in to the police department but he knew the officers were looking for him because we had already taken his truck and had seized it and were processing it at the time,” Preston said.
The MLK holiday made the time of Hambrick’s arraignment uncertain.