Newly released surveillance footage from 35 years ago shows a white truck mercilessly running over a pedestrian before the driver flees the scene. The victim's family has finally received closure after decades of waiting, as DNA evidence has led to the arrest and confession of the perpetrator.
In the depths of a cold December night in 1989, 52-year-old Ruth Buchanan met a tragic fate while crossing a street in Charlotte, North Carolina. As she walked home from a department store with a friend, a speeding vehicle careened through a red light and struck her with brutal force. The impact sent Buchanan's body flying to the opposite side of the intersection, while the driver callously sped away without rendering any aid.
For decades, Buchanan's family and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) pursued every lead, but the case remained unsolved. Despite witness accounts and a partial license plate number, the trail went cold. However, advancements in DNA technology have provided a glimmer of hope.
Breaking: Video Surfaces of Deadly 1989 Hit-and-Run, Suspect Confesses Decades Later
In 2022, a tip reignited the investigation, leading to the reopening of the case. Investigators extracted DNA from a cigarette found in a vehicle suspected of involvement in the hit-and-run. Through advanced testing, they matched it to Herbert Stanback, a 68-year-old inmate already in custody for an unrelated crime.
With overwhelming evidence against him, Stanback made a full confession to CMPD Sgt. Gavin Jackson of the Major Crash Unit. He admitted to driving away after fatally striking Buchanan while he was on work release from prison. Stanback had been working at a hotel just blocks from the intersection where the accident occurred.
Breaking: Video Surfaces of Deadly 1989 Hit-and-Run, Suspect Confesses Decades Later
The revelation that Stanback was a prisoner on work release at the time of the crime added an unsettling twist to the case. The idea that he could return to prison after committing such a heinous act and resume his life without any repercussions was chilling.
Stanback pleaded guilty to felony hit-and-run resulting in serious injury or death. He was sentenced to two years in prison, to be served concurrently with the 22-year sentence he is already serving for an unrelated offense.
Breaking: Video Surfaces of Deadly 1989 Hit-and-Run, Suspect Confesses Decades Later
For Buchanan's family, the news of Stanback's confession and conviction was bittersweet. While they were grateful for the closure after so many years, the pain of losing their loved one remained. Sgt. Jackson expressed his satisfaction in being able to bring some solace to the family and emphasized the importance of DNA technology and the dedication of responding officers in solving even the coldest of cases.
The case of Ruth Buchanan serves as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless driving and the enduring power of justice. Decades may pass, but the pursuit of truth and accountability never ceases. Thanks to technological advancements and the unwavering efforts of law enforcement, the families of victims can finally find closure, even in the most heartbreaking of circumstances.
Breaking: Video Surfaces of Deadly 1989 Hit-and-Run, Suspect Confesses Decades Later
