Family devastated after fatal Hoke hit-and-run

“He just enjoys being out seeing the kids play. He loves football. He loves basketball. He loves baseball. OKC was his favorite team,” Robert Rouse, Walker’s cousin.

It was his love of sports that had Walker out Thursday night at the Hoke County Recreation Complex on Highway-211, just outside of Raeford.

Family members said it wasn't unusual for someone to drop Walker off in his wheelchair at a gym or athletic field.

For some reason, Walker left the park at about 7:30 p.m. The Highway patrol says he was traveling north on the highway when he was struck from behind by an unknown vehicle that took off.

“Someone hit him. They hit him while he was in the wheelchair and just going. Just kept going. Didn’t even have the… just to stop. Maybe those 10 seconds or those 20 seconds could have saved his life,” said Rouse.

Walker was tossed in the air. Orange spray paint marks the point of impact and parts of his wheelchair remain beside the road.

Walker was rushed to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where he died.

Earlier today, his uncle and caregiver, Malcom McMillan, suffered a heart attack while making final preparations for Walker's funeral.

“They called me and they said he came in the room and he’s been very upset and tense, very tense since all this stuff has happened,” said Leigh McNeill, McMillan’s sister.

The family is asking anyone with information about a possible suspect in Walker’s case to call 911 or the Highway Patrol.