SPD PRESS RELEASE
September 19, 2022
Hit and Run – 614 E. Front St
On Sunday, September 18th, 2022, around 1:40AM, the Statesville Police Department was dispatched to a residential alarm at 614 E. Front St, Statesville NC 28677. While in route, Officers received further information that Statesville Fire was on scene with a working residential structure fire. Upon speaking to witnesses in the area, it was determined a passenger vehicle ran off the roadway and struck the residence, causing a gas line into the home to explode and set fire to the residence. The vehicle failed to yield after the incident and fled the scene.
Officers located a trail of fluids on the roadway and followed it to the 500 block of S. Meeting Street. A vehicle matching the description with heavy damage was located in the wood line at this location. Officers located the driver, William Pennell, 31, of Statesville, who admitted to driving the vehicle and striking the residence. Pennell was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center. Pennell was charged with (1) Count Hit and Run, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, (1) Count Reckless Driving with Wanton Disregard, (1) Count Failure to Report Accident, and (1) Count Driving While License Revoked and held in lieu of a $7,500 Secured Bond.
Statesville Fire was able to extinguish the blaze, but not before the residence sustained major damage and is believed to be a total loss. All members of the family that reside at the residence are accounted for and uninjured.
Chief David W. Onley
Statesville Police Department