Sneads Ferry man arrested in Wednesday hit-and-run

A Sneads Ferry man has been charged in a Wednesday hit-and-run involving a pedestrian, officials say.

Jason Lee Franklin, 31, of Sherrill Loop, was charged Wednesday by the North Carolina Highway Patrol with felony hit-and-run inflicting serious injury, reckless driving and driving while intoxicated.

"Mr. Franklin was operating a 1997 Chevrolet pick up traveling east on ... Peru Road. He was exiting a slight curve when he traveled off onto the right shoulder and struck a pedestrian," Trooper Joseph Register said. "Mr. Franklin fled the scene and was later located at a residence a short distance from there."

The pedestrian struck in the 5:31 a.m. Wednesday incident was Andrew George Merritt, 26, of Franklin Drive in Swansboro, Register said.

"He has some bruising and maybe a cracked rib but he refused transport to the hospital," Register said.

Franklin's bonds totaled $3,000.