Theodore Gause Charged in Wilmington Hit-and-Run Crash
A 9-year-old child suffered catastrophic injuries after being struck in a residential driveway
A 9-year-old child was severely injured in a hit-and-run accident on South 15th Street in Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina, on Saturday, April 18, according to police.
Theodore Gause, 51, faces charges of felony hit-and-run, felony serious injury by motor vehicle, and driving while impaired. Witnesses apprehended the fleeing driver shortly after the 10 a.m. collision before officers arrived.
The morning crash occurred in a residential driveway. The suspect's vehicle veered off the road and struck the boy, who was sitting on his bicycle.
The injuries were catastrophic. The impact severed the boy's leg, requiring amputation.
Court records indicate the suspect has an extensive criminal history. He is being held without bond pending a court appearance.
The crash remains under investigation.
For parents facing the catastrophic injury of a child, the realization that the at-fault driver attempted to flee compounds the trauma. While criminal charges address the state's interest in punishing impaired driving, families are left navigating the immediate medical crisis. National LNational Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "When I hear about a driver fleeing the scene, the first thing I think about is the cold abandonment. Doorbell cameras have become a massive help because they're everywhere now and can often capture a license plate number."
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, hit-and-run crashes reached a record high in 2023, accounting for 15% of all police-reported crashes nationwide.
What happens next in the Wilmington hit-and-run investigation?
With the suspect in custody, investigators will focus on toxicology reports and accident reconstruction to build the criminal case. However, the criminal prosecution is entirely separate from the family's right to seek civil accountability for the child's life-altering injuries.
How does a criminal DUI charge impact civil liability for the family?
A felony DWI and hit-and-run arrest provides a strong foundation for a parallel civil claim. Insurance adjusters often contact injured parties within days of a crash, before the full extent of long-term medical costs—such as prosthetics and ongoing care—are known. National LNational Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Bond Legal, noted that "I've seen families blindsided when a driver leaves the scene of a tragedy. Paint transfer analysis can identify a vehicle's make and model from a chip smaller than a dime, so they won't get away."
If your child has been injured in a hit-and-run accident, please contact our National Legal Analyst Bond of Bond Legal today for a no-cost consultation.
North Carolina personal injury framework
North Carolina follows a contributory negligence system — one of only 4 states. Under this strict rule, a plaintiff found even 1% at fault may be barred from recovery entirely. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Damages include economic and non-economic losses.