Two Arrests Made In Hit And Run

News Release / Beth Stevenson
Public Information Officer
City of New Bern Police Department

Published: August 19, 2008

Two people have been arrested for a fatal hit and run that took place near the intersection of Neuse and Martin Luther King boulevards Sunday.  Reece SMITH, Jr., a 72 year old man from Grantbsoro, died in the incident.

Laura Estelle ESTES, 04/06/1984, of River Bend, was arrested early Tuesday morning after turning herself in to police.  ESTES was driving a light brown 1990 Honda Accord when she struck the victim around 1:20 a.m. Sunday.

ESTES was charged with Felony Hit and Run, Driving with a Revoked License and an Inspection Violation.  She was placed in the Craven County jail under a $50,000 bond and scheduled to make a first appearance in court this morning.

Edward Alfred WATKINS, 09/20/1970, also of River Bend, is the owner of the car ESTES was driving.  He was arrested Monday night around 10:30 p.m.  Police believe he is responsible for trying to cover-up damage to the vehicle.  WATKINS was charged with Accessory After the Fact of a Felony Hit and Run, and Aiding and Abetting Driving with A Revoked License.  WATKINS was placed in the Craven County jail under a $15,999 bond.  WATKINS also had an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear and was given an additional $1,000 bond for that charge.