Father pleading for hit-and-run driver to turn themselves in after losing his son in crash

ROCKY POINT, N.C. (WECT/Gray News) - A North Carolina father says he never thought he would be burying two of his sons in his backyard during his lifetime.

“Never in a million years would I have dreamed to have buried two sons out there before us,” Bobby White said. “It’s not right for a parent to bury a child.”

White’s son Scott died last December because of “bad choices.”

Exactly three months later on March 9, his 44-year-old son Joey White was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Pender County.

Investigators said Joey White was riding his moped on Highway 421 near Black River Club Road in Rocky Point when a driver of a dual-tire vehicle hit him from behind and then kept driving south.

“They said he died from traumatic head injuries and neck injuries,” Bobby White said. “They left him lying there to die, just like you’d leave an animal that was hit.”

Investigators with the State Highway Patrol have not yet been able to find the driver. That’s why Bobby White is asking for the community’s help.

“If they would just come forward, say they made a mistake, I’m the guilty one, that would help the healing go a lot faster,” Bobby White said. “I mean are we ever going to completely heal? No. We lost our son. But it would be some closure on it.”

Bobby White said Joey White was loved and is missed by many to this day.

“He had an easygoing personality,” Bobby White said. “When most people met Joey, they loved him.”

The 44-year-old’s father said he would do anything to just have one more day with his son.

“I love him. I miss him,” Bobby White said. “Parents, grandparents, hold to your children. Love your children. Spend the time with them because nothing is promised.”

Investigators are continuing to search for any information that could lead to an arrest in this case. If you have any tips, you are asked to call State Highway Patrol at 910-296-1311.

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