On Friday, May 2, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Officers with the Morganton Department of Public Safety responded to a report of a hit and run at 736 South Sterling Street. While en route, officers obtained identifying information about the suspect vehicle, which had fled the scene heading toward West Fleming Drive.
A short time later, investigators located a vehicle matching the description in a business parking lot on West Fleming Drive. Upon inspecting the vehicle and reviewing surveillance footage, investigators confirmed it was the one involved in the hit and run. Two individuals were seen fleeing the area on foot.
A canvass of the surrounding area led officers to the suspects near the railroad tracks on West Fleming Drive. As officers attempted to make contact, both individuals fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, both were apprehended without further incident.
The driver was identified as Victor Gonzales Ramirez, 34, of Morganton. The second individual was a juvenile passenger in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Ramirez was taken into custody and transported to the Burke County Magistrate’s Office, where he was formally charged with:
- Driving While Impaired
- Driving While License Revoked
- Hit and Run
- Failure to Reduce Speed
At the time of his arrest, Ramirez had three pending charges for Driving While Impaired, including one for Habitual DWI. Due to his revoked license status related to a previous DWI conviction, the vehicle he was operating was seized. Ramirez was not issued a bond, as he was already out on pretrial release for other offenses.
Additional charges may be forthcoming following consultation with the Burke County District Attorney’s Office. Ramirez is scheduled to make his first court appearance on June 23, 2025.
