Minutes after a South Carolina man lost everything in a house fire, he was hit by a car Sunday morning, officials said. The driver took off, leaving the damaged car, investigators said.
Phil Pitts, of Clover, was rushed to a hospital and is in critical condition, WSOC-TV reported.
Pitts had been working on his motorcycle in his carport and had left it running.
The heat from the exhaust sparked the fire at about 1 a.m., and the flames spread to the home.
Once the fire was under control, Pitts walked to his sister’s home, located about one-quarter mile away.
"He said, 'Man, I done lost everything,'" neighbor John Walker told WSOC.
Pitts was hit by the car about halfway to his destination.
According to Walker, Pitts' family said the driver backed the damaged car into Walker's driveway, got out and ran away.
"Man, lose his house, then about less than five hours later, about lose his life," Walker said.
Walker saw the car.
"I saw the hole in the windshield," Walker told WSOC. "Probably, you can stick a basketball in the hole."
Pitts’ sister said her brother is fighting for his life with broken ribs and a severe head injury. He opened his eyes in the hospital Monday.
Sheila Latta has a message for the driver.
"Turn yourself in. We are not mad at you,” Latta said. “Accidents happen, but just turn yourself in."
The Highway Patrol took the car as evidence as the investigation continues.
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