Arrest Made After Elderly Man Killed in Monroe Hit-and-Run

Monroe, North Carolina — December 31, 2025 — According to WSOC TV, investigators have arrested a suspect in connection with a deadly hit-and-run on Morgan Mill Road late last month.

The crash happened when 83-year-old Leonidas Constantine Smith was struck and left at the scene. The driver did not stop, call for help, or report the crash.

Multiple agencies joined the investigation, including the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Over the next two and a half days, detectives searched neighborhoods, reviewed surveillance videos, and gathered physical evidence.

Investigators eventually traced the suspect vehicle’s path using camera footage from the area. That work led to the identification of the driver and the seizure of the vehicle believed to be involved.

Officers arrested Francisco Roman Escobar of Oakboro. He is charged with felony hit and run and driving in Charlotte without a valid operator’s license. According to investigators, evidence found in the vehicle tied Escobar to the crash.

Escobar was booked into the Union County Detention Center, where he is being held while awaiting bond and further court proceedings.

Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey praised the law enforcement teams who worked the case, noting their persistence and teamwork in tracking down the suspect.

Wingate University later confirmed that Smith had previously worked for the institution.

The investigation remains ongoing.

At Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt, our experienced Charlotte personal injury attorneys are committed to helping crash victims and their families navigate the legal process.

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Notes: Our team created this post using secondary sources and has not independently verified all the facts surrounding the accident. If you find any incorrect details, please contact Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt so we can update the post with the most accurate information. This post will be removed if requested.

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