Hit-and-run driver arrested

Published 12:46 pm Friday, November 13, 2015

AHOSKIE – The driver involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident on NC 11 one week ago has been found and arrested.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol office in Ahoskie reported that 30-year-old Juan Magzul was located Wednesday in Elizabeth City and returned to Hertford County.

Magzul stands charged with one felony count each of hit-and-run resulting in death, death by motor vehicle, and assault. He was placed in the Hertford County Jail under a $100,000 secured bond. Magzul made his first appearance on Friday in Hertford County District Court.

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According to NCHP Trooper A.S. Genao, Magzul’s location was traced to Elizabeth City thanks to assistance from the general public. Genao said the NCHP was provided with Magzul’s cell phone number and that information helped to pinpoint his whereabouts. He was arrested there by Troopers assigned to the NCHP’s Troop A / District 3 office.

“We certainly want to thank the assistance provided by the public, along with the Ahoskie Police Department and the  Troopers in the Elizabeth City District,” Genao said.

Upon his arrest, Magzul (a Hispanic male) confessed to the crime, Genao said.

Magzul stands accused in the Nov. 7 wreck that claimed the life of 51-year-old Anner Diann Burke of Aulander and injured her 16-year-old son, Jaleel Burke.

According to the accident report, Magzul’s 1997 Ford Explorer veered left of center and struck Burke’s 1998 Toyota passenger car head-on on NC 11 just south of the Hollowell Road intersection. Burke was traveling south at the time of the accident, which was reported at 9:24 p.m.

The Ford Explorer was found abandoned at the accident scene upon the arrival of emergency responders.

NC Highway Patrol Trooper S.C. Hegmann’s report showed that the Explorer was registered to Magzul. His address was listed in Gates County; however, he was believed to be living in the Murfreesboro area, according to the Highway Patrol. Upon his arrest it was learned he was residing at 105 Horton Road, located near Murfreesboro.

About Cal Bryant

Cal Bryant, a 40-year veteran of the newspaper industry, serves as the Editor at Roanoke-Chowan Publications, publishers of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, Gates County Index, and Front Porch Living magazine.

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