LUMBERTON, NC — A quiet Monday morning turned tragic when 46-year-old Jimmy Tilley was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on East 2nd Street, leaving this Robeson County community demanding answers. The Lumberton Police Department confirmed Tilley, a well-known neighborhood figure, died instantly when an unidentified vehicle struck him near North Rozier Street around 6:40 a.m. before fleeing the scene.
Crime scene investigators spent hours collecting vehicle debris that suggests the suspect was driving a dark-colored sedan or SUV with significant front-end damage. Police are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses, including a convenience store Tilley frequented during his morning walks. “This was a cowardly act,” said Police Chief Michael McNeill. “We’re pursuing every lead to find who’s responsible for leaving a good man dead in the street.”
The deadly incident marks Lumberton’s third pedestrian fatality this year along East 2nd Street, a dangerous corridor lacking adequate crosswalks and lighting. Tilley’s death has sparked outrage among neighbors who describe the area as a known hazard, especially during pre-dawn hours when visibility is poor. A makeshift memorial of flowers and handwritten notes now marks where the beloved local fell.
Authorities have established a dedicated tip line (910-671-3845) and are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Investigators are particularly interested in dashcam footage from commuters who traveled the route between 6:15-7:00 a.m. Monday.
As funeral arrangements begin at Floyd Mortuary, community activists are organizing a “Walk for Jimmy” to demand safer streets. Meanwhile, detectives continue piecing together Tilley’s final moments, determined to bring the heartless driver to justice.
