“Virginia Man Arrested in Horry County Hit-and-Run; Deceased Pedestrian Still Unidentified”

A hit-and-run accident in Horry County, South Carolina, that resulted in the death of a pedestrian in May has led to the arrest of a Virginia man. The incident occurred near 9440 North Kings Highway, but the identity of the pedestrian remains unknown. In an effort to solve this mystery, the Horry County Coroner’s Office has released a computer-generated composite image of the pedestrian, along with a photo of his tattoo, hoping that someone will recognize him.

James Samuel Thomas, a 47-year-old resident of Richmond, was arrested on June 9 by the South Carolina Highway Patrol on a charge of a hit-and-run accident causing death or personal injury. He was later released on a $10,000 bond after being booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center.

The Chief Deputy Coroner, Tamara Willard, stated that the pedestrian’s identity was not found in any local or federal database. The process of creating a DNA profile to aid in identifying him is still ongoing and expected to be completed in approximately five months.

Described as a white male in his late 40s, weighing around 170 pounds and standing between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 11 inches tall, the pedestrian has light brown or sandy blonde hair with graying mustache and goatee.

The Horry County Coroner’s Office has urged anyone with information regarding the pedestrian’s identity to contact them immediately at 843-915-5110.

By sharing the composite image and tattoo photo, authorities hope to generate leads and bring closure to this tragic incident. The cooperation of the public is crucial in solving cases like these, ensuring justice for the victim and holding accountable those responsible for their actions..