Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation into a hit-and-run on June 29 after a white pickup truck reportedly ran over a man’s legs near Clark’s Market in the Village of Oak Creek.
“At this time, the investigation has not yielded any leads,” YCSO Public Information Officer Paul Wick wrote. “No witnesses have come forward, and there is no known surveillance footage capturing the incident.”
The victim, 45-year-old James “Peace” Willbanks, was sitting on the curb under a tree with his dog, according to his friend, Don Kirchner. YCSO stated the vehicle was a Ford F-150 with a red 4×4 decal on its side. Kirchner added that the rear tires were dualies.
“If you were in the area of 100 Verde Valley School Road in the Village of Oak Creek around noon on June 29, or if you have any information regarding the described vehicle, please contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office at 928-771-3260,” Wick wrote.
Kirchner said the driver of the truck saw Willbanks sitting on the ground and intentionally moved to run over his legs. Willbanks is recovering with broken bones in both legs, which Kirchner said have been set with metal rods. Kirchner set up a Go Fund Me account to help pay for Willbanks’ medical bills.
“All funds raised will go toward James’s rehabilitation, which is expected to run out before his injuries are fully healed,” Kirchner wrote. “Any extra will help repair his aging van, which serves as a temporary home for him and his dog.”
Visit gofundme.com/f/miracle-at-the-market-help-james-heal for his Go Fund Me account.
