Investigators renew call for tips in 2019 Durham hit-and-run

A Durham Police investigator is once again asking for help to solve a deadly hit-and-run crash from seven years ago.

Officer Gabriel Munter is an investigator with the Traffic and Crash Team. 

"You never forget any of the cases, and you certainly never forget the victims," Munter said.

He said all of the deadly hit-and-run cases he's worked are solved except one.

"I do have confidence in the fact that Martir Maldonado was the person driving that car when it struck and killed Danielle Noel September 30, 2019," Munter said.

It happened on U.S. Highway 15-501 near Cornwallis Road. Warrants were obtained on October 8, 2019 but Maldonado was nowhere to be found. Munter tells WRAL he does not believe Maldonado is a U.S. citizen and he may no longer be in the country.

Police still hope to track him down and arrest him. Munter still believes someone out there knows something.

"If you know where he is and you know where he went, I know it's bothering you," Munter said. "You don't have to be a part of the case, but just think about somebody who's lost a loved one at the hands of another, and how you might feel. Would you not want somebody to come forward and tell the police what you know?"

Officer Munter's most recent request for someone to come forward with information was last Wednesday. So far no one has. He hopes that will change.