LINCOLNTON, N.C. — Police say a man was arrested after he rammed into six migrant farm workers outside a Walmart in Lincolnton on Sunday afternoon.
Lincolnton police responded to a reported crash at the Walmart on North Generals Boulevard around 1:15 p.m. Sunday.
Detectives said a man driving a black SUV turned as if he was going to park near a bus, but instead of parking, the driver plowed into a group of migrant workers who were standing outside the store. Six people were taken to the hospital for their injuries and have now been released, according to police. Police said 20 to 30 people were on a grocery run when the six were hit, though it's not clear how many people were standing outside the store at the time of the incident.
Lincolnton police say Daniel Gonzalez, 68, turned himself in on Monday relating to the investigation. Gonzalez told police through family members that he was attempting to park at Walmart when he accidentally hit the gas and hit the people near the parking lot. Gonzalez said he panicked and left the scene, according to police.
Gonzalez is charged with felony hit and run. He remains in Lincoln County jail on a $50,000 bond. Police initially believed the driver of the vehicle had intentionally wrecked into the migrant workers.
Speaking through a translator, Santiago Baltazar, one of the victims, told WCNC Charlotte he now has injuries from his waist to his feet.
The Lincolnton Police Department, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and FBI assisted in the investigation.
Contact Kayland Hagwood at khagwood@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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