VANCOUVER, Wash. (KOIN) — A hit-and-run suspect is on the run while the victim lays in a hospital, waiting the amputation of at least one of his legs.
Joshua A. Johnson is believed to be the driver of a red Nissan Sentra that hit Paul Adams in the early hours of February 20 on NE 54th Avenue, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office said.
Johnson is wanted for felony hit-and-run, and authorities said they don’t know where he is.
Adams was found lying on the side of the road hours after the hit-and-run on NE 54th Avenue. Police were called and Adams was rushed to the hospital where he remained unconscious for more than 2 weeks.
In addition to 2 broken legs, Adams is suffering from a broken back and broken ribs. He is also facing amputation of one leg below the knee.
It’s been more than a month since he was hit, but Nancy Adams is still coming to grips with the fact that her son was seriously injured.
“We tries to joke around and pretend he’s got a big sense of humor and it’s not bothering him, but when no one is in there it’s ‘my life is over mom and what am I gonna do from here?'” Nancy said.
Her message to the suspect?
“I hate you,” Nancy, said. “Why didn’t you stop? My son really almost died out there.”
Johnson took the time to call Adams to apologize and said he would turn himself in when he got his family affairs in order.
“My family didn’t have time to get our affairs in order. [Paul’s] son doesn’t have time to wrap this around his ten-year-old head, that his dad is in this shape,” Nancy said. “What gives this man the right to be able to get his life in order and his affairs?”
Joshua Johnson’s mother is Shaun Johnson, who was convicted of vehicular assault after she crashed her car into a Battle Ground teen, causing him to lose his leg.
“I looked up at the detective and said ‘You’re joking right?'” Nancy told KOIN. “And he said ‘no, I can’t make this stuff up.'”
Justin Carey, who was 17 at the time, was waiting for the school bus when he was hit. He ended up in a ditch 100 yards away and was found by a truck driver more than an hour later.
Carey’s mom knows better than anyone what Nancy is going through now.
“We know what they’re going through,” Janette Chumley said. “We know exactly what they’re going through and it’s heartbreaking and it’s frustrating. Frustrating that someone else had to go through this.”
Anyone with information about Joshua Johnson is asked to call 911, or Detective Todd Young by email: Todd.Young@Clark.Wa.Gov
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