Video: Maben Residents Talk About Hit-and-Run Victim

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OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) — A Maben man is recovering in a Tupelo hospital after he was struck by a car, Monday, in a hit and run.

Residents tell WCBI they’re shocked about the situation, since their neighbor was such a big part of the community.

“He’s Maben’s mascot, so we all look out for Nick,” said resident Connie Johnson.

Nick Ray Lewis usually checks on the local merchants in Maben every day, and always by bicycle.

“Anywhere he could get on his bicycle, he went,” said resident Taylor Norwood. “He’d visit and made the day light up when he walked in.”

But Lewis couldn’t stop by Tuesday. He’s recovering in a Tupelo hospital instead, after he was hit by a car on Maben-Bell School House Road.

“I do not understand how anybody could do that to somebody in Nick’s shape, and just walk away. That’s sad,” Johnson said.

Especially since Lewis is such a big part of Maben.

“He’d come in here, and he’d sit in that chair, and he would talk to us,” said resident Kevin Moree. “He would ask everyone how he’s doing. His favorite thing was to say, ‘Whatcha doin’, good buddy?'”

Deputies are following leads to find the driver involved, and they expect to file charges.

Residents are devastated, and hope that happens soon.

“He just means a whole lot to this community,” Norwood said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Oktibbeha County sheriff’s office, or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers.