Decades-Old Hit-and-Run Case in Charlotte Leads to Arrest
- Ruth Buchanan was fatally struck by a driver running a red light in Charlotte.
- The driver is being charged 34 years after the hit-and-run incident.
- The long-awaited justice for the victim's family has finally come.
Charlotte, North Carolina – A breakthrough in a long-unsolved hit-and-run case has resulted in the arrest of 68-year-old Herbert Stanback, who has been charged with felony hit-and-run resulting in death. The charges stem from the tragic incident that occurred on December 29, 1989, when 52-year-old Ruth Buchanan was struck by a vehicle while crossing an intersection. The vehicle failed to stop at a red light, leading to Buchanan's serious injuries and subsequent hospitalization. Initial investigations in 1989 revealed that the vehicle involved had been reported stolen, and witnesses provided a description along with a license plate number. Despite these leads, the case remained open for over three decades due to insufficient evidence. In 2022, a new tip from an anonymous caller reignited the investigation, although the individual initially implicated was later cleared of involvement. Detectives revisited the physical evidence stored at police headquarters, which ultimately led them to interview Stanback in March 2024. During the interview, he confessed to driving the vehicle that struck Buchanan. Investigators confirmed that Stanback was on a work-release program at the time of the incident, which further solidified their case against him. In June 2024, following the confession and corroborating evidence, Stanback was formally charged. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has expressed hope that this development brings some closure to the family of Ruth Buchanan after years of uncertainty.