Kinston man arrested for obstruction of justice, second degree manslaughter

KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) — Officers with the Kinston Police Department responded to the scene of a fatal crash on April 28.

Police arrived at 11:30 pm to assist with a pedestrian who had been hit by a car near the 1900 block of Towerhill Rd. in Kinston. The victim, Christopher Peterson, 50, was suffering from life-threatening injuries when police located him. Peterson was taken to ECU Health Medical Center and eventually died of his injuries.

Anthony Belcher, the suspected driver, gave a statement that he swerved to miss a deer, accidentally hitting Peterson. There were inconsistencies in statements taken and evidence located at the scene, prompting police to continue their investigation. Officers determined that Belcher was lying in his statement. Andre Jones, 43, was the true driver during the crash. Warrants were obtained for Jones’ arrest and he surrendered to law enforcement on May 8.

Jones was charged with second-degree murder, felony obstruction of justice and failure to give info/aid an injured person. He was taken to the Lenoir County Jail and placed under a secured bond.

The case is still open.

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