A man has been identified and charged in a decades-old fatal hit-and-run in Charlotte, North Carolina, police announced Friday.
Herbert Stanback, 68, was charged with felony hit-and-run resulting in death in the 1989 killing of 52-year-old Ruth Buchanan, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said.
Buchanan was crossing an intersection on Dec. 29, 1989, when she was struck by a vehicle that did not stop at a red light, according to police. The driver did not stop after hitting Buchanan and fled the scene.
Buchanan was transported to Charlotte Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. She died a day later.
Witnesses provided investigators with a description of the vehicle and a license plate number and detectives were able to determine the vehicle had been reported stolen.
In January 1990, officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle. Officers found a vehicle with a stolen license plate but were able to identify it by the tag number and confirmed it was the vehicle involved in the fatal crash.
Herbert Stanback in a police photo.
North Carolina Department of Corrections
Investigators said they determined the vehicle was stolen from a car dealership in Charlotte.
But, the case remained open for 32 years due to lack of further evidence.
In 2022, detectives said they received a tip from an anonymous caller who identified a man the caller believed to be involved in the hit-and-run. Investigators then determined the person implicated in the tip was not involved in the incident.
As part of the investigation, investigators analyzed physical evidence that was recovered from the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run and was still in evidence lockup at police headquarters.
Extensive DNA analysis and evidence examination allowed investigators to identify Stanback as a suspect in the case.
Stanback was already incarcerated in North Carolina, serving a 22-year sentence in connection with an unrelated case.
In March 2024, detectives interviewed Stanback and he admitted to driving the vehicle that struck Buchanan. Investigators determined he was incarcerated and on a work-release program at the time of the crash.
Detectives then obtained an arrest warrant for a felony hit-and-run resulting in death. In June 2024, he was formally charged in the case.
After 34 years, justice may finally be served in a fatal hit-and-run case in Charlotte, North Carolina. A man has been charged in connection to the incident that took place more than three decades ago, bringing closure to the victim’s family and shedding light on the importance of never giving up on seeking justice.
The hit-and-run occurred in 1987, when a pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle in Charlotte. The driver fled the scene, leaving behind a grieving family and a community searching for answers. Despite efforts by law enforcement at the time, the case went cold and remained unsolved for over three decades.
However, recent advancements in technology and investigative techniques have led to a breakthrough in the case. DNA evidence and witness statements have pointed to a suspect who has now been charged with the crime. The arrest has brought a sense of relief to the victim’s family, who have been waiting for justice for so long.
This case serves as a reminder that no crime is ever truly forgotten. With advancements in forensic science and the dedication of law enforcement, even cold cases can be solved. It also highlights the importance of never giving up on seeking justice for victims and their families, no matter how much time has passed.
The suspect in this case now faces charges of hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter, and will have to answer for his actions in court. While nothing can bring back the life that was lost, this arrest brings a sense of closure to the victim’s family and serves as a warning to others who may think they can escape accountability for their crimes.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the community in Charlotte will be watching closely to see that justice is served. The arrest in this case after 34 years is a testament to the perseverance of law enforcement and the importance of never giving up on seeking justice for victims of crime.
