KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Police Department said a man has turned himself in after a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a hit-and-run last Thursday.
On March 17, a motorcyclist was enjoying his hobby and driving near downtown Knoxville. Then, the night took a turn for the worst.
Jonathan Harter, 31, was hit by a red Toyota at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Bertrand Street. KPD said the driver left after hitting him, leaving him on the road with multiple injuries.
"At the time, I was very scared, knowing that this isn't the first time this has happened to somebody and people have gotten away with it," said Magan Whicker, Harter's sister. "I refuse to let that happen."
He was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center with several injuries. Around a week later, he is still recovering from a broken shoulder, a broken nose, a broken ankle and a broken leg. Harter also had several cuts and a minor concussion.
Police said they later found the car abandoned on Magnolia Avenue and towed it to an impound shop.
Officers had been looking for the suspect for roughly a week, which they identified as 65-year-old Calvin Thomas Jr. of Knoxville.
Police said Thomas turned himself in Friday morning. He's charged with leaving the scene of an injury crash, failure to render aid, driving on a suspended license, failure to provide proof of financial responsibility, and failure to yield the right of way.
"I don't want people to think this is okay," said Whicker. "I don't want them to think it's okay to run away from their problems, run away from hurting somebody."
She said she was looking for justice, and hoped the person responsible for crashing into Harter would be found.
"How anybody can just not care," she said. "It's just, it's unbelievable."
When Harter is released from UT Medical Center, doctors said he may spend up to 4 months in a wheelchair. That's a third of the year when he won't be able to enjoy one of his favorite hobbies — riding his motorcycle.