Jason Kyle Poe Jr. Killed in Elizabeth City Hit-and-Run
Driver charged with DWI and death by motor vehicle following the fatal collision on Halstead Blvd.
Jason Kyle Poe Jr., 21, of Elizabeth City, was killed in a hit-and-run crash in the 800 block of Halstead Blvd. in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, early Aug. 30, according to police.
Officers responding to reports of a person, Poe, lying in the road at approximately 2:20 a.m. found the unresponsive man. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
The driver fled the area immediately following the impact. The Elizabeth City Police Department, with assistance from Elizabeth City State University, located and apprehended the suspect shortly after. Investigators arrested 33-year-old Sherman Banks in connection with the collision, charging him with driving while impaired, failure to report an accident, driving with a revoked license and death by motor vehicle.
Banks is currently being held without bond at the Albemarle District Jail.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), hit-and-run drivers struck nearly 1 in 4 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2024, or 24% of the 7,080 pedestrian deaths nationwide.
The sudden loss of a loved one to an impaired, fleeing driver leaves families navigating both deep grief and a complex criminal justice process. While law enforcement pursues criminal accountability for the fatal collision on Halstead Blvd., civil avenues provide a separate path for justice.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Fleeing drivers turn out to be uninsured or underinsured, leaving injured victims facing serious financial pressure on top of a painful recovery. Medical bills pile up while accountability for a fleeing driver remains unclear for weeks or months."
"An attorney reviews insurance policies, explores uninsured motorist coverage, and works to secure compensation options, helping families manage financial strain during recovery," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
How do criminal charges impact a civil case in Elizabeth City?
The arrest of a suspect on DWI and felony hit-and-run charges establishes a strong foundation for a parallel civil claim. Criminal proceedings focus on penalizing the offender, whereas civil actions focus on compensating the victim's estate for their loss.
Families often discover that an at-fault driver operating with a revoked license may lack adequate insurance, making independent investigations into uninsured drivers coverage essential.
North Carolina wrongful death statute
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. North Carolina applies contributory negligence. The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of services and companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.
"Video surveillance from local gas stations and traffic cameras offers the best chance of identifying a hit-and-run vehicle. Mapping out potential escape routes allows investigators to trace the driver's movements right after the crash," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "A legal team supports affected families by canvassing the area for cameras, handling insurance notices, and protecting rights."