ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – An Army veteran is dead after being the victim of a hit-and-run early Thursday morning, according to Roanoke County police.
Walter Kenneth Ashley, 71, was walking along Williamson Road around 1 a.m. Thursday when police say 22-year-old Evan Sarver hit him and then drove away.
Ashley moved to Roanoke County in May 2006. He leaves behind four adult sons and would have been married to his wife of almost 12 years in October.
His wife said he retired from the Army in 2003 and started working as a certified nursing assistant at Catawba Hospital and Hollins Manor.
She also told WSLS 10 he was a caring man who looked out for his neighbors and his patients and was a fan of country music star George Jones.
She said she was surprised to hear the news that her husband was hit and killed while walking along Williamson Road.
According to her, she took him to Lewis Gale Hospital where he was supposed to be admitted for medical complications, but she was told he decided not to stay and walked home.
He had almost made it when the crash happened.
She said she's not upset at the suspect, but is glad he decided to turn himself in to police.
Along with the DUI charge, Evan Sarver is also charged with felony hit-and-run and manslaughter.