Pedestrian struck and killed in hit-and-run; was dragged a mile by driver

ASPEN HILL, Md. - Montgomery County police said a 77-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run after being dragged for approximately a mile by the driver.

According to detectives, Julius Newton was struck at around 9:24 p.m. Thursday as he was walking across Layhill Road, around the corner from where he lived. Police said he was then dragged by the striking vehicle to the intersection of Bel Pre Road and Homecrest Road, located about a mile away from the initial collision.

Police believe the hit-and-run vehicle is a late model white or tan sedan with significant front end damage.

Newton's family said even at his old age, he loved to take long daily walks and that was what he was doing Thursday night when he was killed.

Police said there is a chance the driver might not have realized what they had actually hit.

"Investigators also believe that the driver may have believed that he struck a deer or some other animal or some object in the roadway - is not sure of exactly what happened," said Montgomery County Police Capt. Paul Starks.

However, Newton's family doesn't believe that is the case.

"He didn't deserve to die like that," said Pam Newton, the victim's daughter. "He really did not. He was a good man, a humble man, a beautiful man. And for someone to actually hit him and leave him there like an animal in the street and then drag him another mile, I mean that is absurd."

There are many businesses and homes throughout this area and police are actively checking surveillance cameras for any sign of the car.