Orange County man charged in hit and run after Carrboro crash victim died at hospital

Carrboro police have charged a Hillsborough man after an April 15 crash victim died at the hospital.

Matthew Harr, 32, was charged Monday with felony hit and run in connection with the crash, which happened shortly before 2 a.m. in the parking lot of 602 Jones Ferry Road, police said in reports and a news release.

Harr was already being held in the Orange County jail without bail on a charge he received Saturday related to possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Office records.

Carrboro Police Chief Chris Atack said Zachary Peeples, 29, was “interacting” with people inside a vehicle in the Willow Creek shopping center parking lot. A police report described the vehicle involved in an incident at that location as a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 truck.

Atack did not elaborate on the type of interaction that took place before Peeples was struck, leaving him with life-threatening injuries.

Harr is accused of fleeing the scene. Peeples was taken to UNC Hospital, where he died from his injuries, police said.

Carrboro police investigators found evidence at the scene that helped identify the car and the driver involved as Harr, they said. The case is still being investigated.

Anyone with information can contact Carrboro Police Investigator E. Velazquez at evelazquez@carrboronc.gov or 919-918-7413. Anonymous tips can be left with Crime Stoppers at 919-942-7515.