Police Seek Suspect in Hit-and-Run Involving Electric Bicycle in Duck, N.C.
Authorities in Duck, North Carolina, are searching for a man involved in a hit-and-run crash that injured two children riding an electric-assisted bicycle. The incident occurred at approximately 4:20 p.m. on Monday near 1209 Duck Road.
According to the Duck Police Department, a child was operating the electric bicycle at an unsafe speed along the northbound Duck Trail sidewalk, violating a town ordinance that prohibits electric-assisted bicycles on sidewalks. As the bicycle traveled down the sidewalk, it collided with the front passenger-side quarter panel of a white 2007 Ford Expedition. The vehicle, which was attempting to exit a parking lot onto Duck Road, failed to stop before making the turn.
Police say the combination of the bicycle’s speed and the driver’s failure to stop led to the crash. A second child was also riding on the back of the bike at the time of the accident. The collision was recorded on one of the town’s live traffic cameras.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as 48-year-old Arturo Gutierrez of Elizabeth City, reportedly fled the scene on foot before officers arrived. Investigators say a relative later put Gutierrez on a phone call with police, during which he admitted to being involved in the crash. However, he claimed to be in Camden County and refused to turn himself in.
As a result, authorities towed the vehicle and obtained an arrest warrant for Gutierrez. He faces multiple charges, including felony failure to stop at the scene of a crash involving personal injury, driving with a revoked license due to a prior DWI, possession of fictitious registration plates, and failure to insure a motor vehicle. Additionally, police report that Gutierrez has two outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court for previous criminal charges.
The two children involved in the crash were transported to The Outer Banks Hospital, where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Police say Gutierrez owns and operates Garcia’s Construction & Cleaning Services LLC. Authorities urge anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the Duck Police Department at (252) 473-3444.
