Police seek suspect in Central Avenue hit-and-run that injured teen

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help finding a man police say is responsible for a hit-and-run that left a teenager with serious injuries.

Detective Ashley Phillips of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers said investigators have identified the suspected driver as 37-year-old Tamarius Potts. Phillips said she is hopeful a quick arrest will be made because investigators already have the suspect identified.

What police say happened

Phillips said a teenager on a minibike was hit by a car along Central Avenue on the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 14. She said the driver kept driving.

The teen survived but was left with serious injuries.

“The juvenile in this situation has undergone several surgeries and his mother is just urging anyone to come forward with information about where this suspect is,” Phillips said.

Potts has previously had run-ins with the law in Mecklenburg County.

Separate hit-and-run in east Charlotte

The Central Avenue crash happened a week before a 6-year-old girl was killed in a separate hit-and-run in east Charlotte, about three miles away.

“Both situations very unfortunate, very tragic, and we want people to know that if you hit someone, no matter if they are a pedestrian or a vehicle, you have to stay at the scene,” Phillips said.

Safety message from police

Phillips said people should pay attention to their surroundings.

“Make sure that if you see a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed, if you can, get out of the way as quick as possible and call and report behavior like that,” Phillips said.

Jack Love, an east Charlotte resident, said he stays on the sidewalk and out of the way when he is near Central Avenue.

“People don’t look. They just drive right up on you,” Love said.

How to help

Phillips said people may know where Potts is staying, where he works or where he is known to go.

“We know that there are people out there who know where he’s probably staying, where he works or where he’s known to frequent and we want those people to come forward and know that they can come forward anonymously,” Phillips said.

Anyone with information on Potts’ location can call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Callers do not need to give their names. A cash reward is possible for information that leads to an arrest.