GASTONIA, N.C. — The family of Rhyne Linker said he died after an out-of-control car veered off a Gastonia road Tuesday night, hit him and slammed into a nearby home, and that one of the people inside the vehicle later returned to surrender while others ran from the scene.
Linker was on the curb at his family’s home helping a friend with her car. He was standing in front of the friend’s car on Trinity Avenue when another car hit him, went off the road, and smashed into a neighbor’s home.
The people in that car reportedly ran, leaving Linker there. Search dogs looked for the suspects.
One reportedly came back and surrendered to police. Officers spent hours looking for the others.
“The world is a much darker place this morning because we don’t have him here anymore,” said Janice Spidel, Linker’s mother.
Spidel said Rhyne was a talented guitar player who loved his wife, his son, and helping others.
People at the scene told Channel 9 that the driver claimed he was held at gun point.
“We are not really sure how they car ended up coming down the street like it did,” Spidel said. “(It) drug my son under it and crashed into the neighbor’s house.”
She’s grateful the one person turned themselves in.
“Thank you to the young man who did turn himself in,” she said. “I will find a way to forgive you. I don’t know how yet.”
She said anyone still on the run should turn themselves in now and she offered to find peace in her heart for them.
“I, myself, will find a way to forgive you, but you will need to be held accountable,” Spidel said.
Police haven’t said much about the investigation.
No additional details have been made available.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates.
VIDEO: Car crashes into Gastonia home
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