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Norfolk family begging for answers after hit and run turns deadly

Posted at 10:16 PM, Apr 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-08 23:15:53-04

Norfolk - A hit and run at the corner of Azalea Garden Road and Princess Anne Road last week has turned deadly.

According to Norfolk Police, a pedestrian was hit by a car on Thursday, March 31, around 9:15 p.m. Police say the driver kept going. The man has been identified as John Robert Butler Jr. He was taken to the hospital after the accident. Originally doctors said his injuries were non-life threatening.  Three days later, he died.

"If anybody knows anything I wish they would come forward because my husband died a terrible way, an awful way, no animal should even go through what he go through," said Brenda Butler, John's wife.

According to Brenda, her husband was crossing the street with his sister when he was hit. She rushed to the hospital to see him, not knowing it would be their last conversation.

"That first night when I went back up there I said to him I love you, and he said I love you back," said Brenda. "That was the last time I talked to my husband."

Brenda said her husband underwent multiple surgeries while in the hospital, but on Sunday, doctors called her to tell her he had died.

"I have to come home from work and he won't be here and that is something that I have to get used to," Brenda said through tears.

Loved ones describe John as a family man, who had an outgoing personality. They say he loved to make people laugh. His family says that is what they are going to remember while they wait to get justice for his death.

"I'm sure the person didn’t mean to hit him, but to not stop not to stop to see how he was or if they could help him, they could have at least called 9-1-1," said Brenda. "But to leave him in the streets and that is horrible."

If you have any information about this deadly hit and run, police ask that you take action and call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.