Investigators Still Seeking Leads, Witnesses In Fatal Northport Hit-And-Run

NORTHPORT, AL — Investigators are asking for any potential witnesses to come forward following a fatal hit-and-run Wednesday evening on a busy stretch of highway in Northport.

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Patch first reported that the body of a man was discovered when Northport Police officers responded around 6:41 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a report of debris on the east side of the road near the 93rd Street intersection and within walking distance from Chapel Hill Baptist Church.

Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, said in an update on Thursday that investigators believe the victim was struck sometime between 6:20 p.m. and 6:40 p.m.

Kennedy also identified the victim as 72-year-old Willie Clay Fleming of Northport.

The red X in the Google Maps screenshot below is the approximate location where Fleming's body was first discovered.

Extensive background reporting confirms that the first police to arrive at the location where the body was found quickly viewed the scene as a fatal hit-and-run after recovering debris that included a bumper and a passenger side mirror.

Despite occurring on a busy stretch of road at high-traffic time, the immediate vicinity is poorly lit in the evening and populated with only a handful of homes. This has no doubt made the case that much more challenging as investigators continue to search for any break in the case.

The Northport Police Traffic Homicide and Violent Crimes Unit are currently handling the investigation.

Kennedy told Patch Friday that investigators are working tirelessly to secure leads on the case and urged anyone to come forward if they think they might've seen something.

"We are definitely asking anyone who saw the incident, or may have video of the area, whether home video or dash cam footage to come forward."

Those with information can call the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit at (205) 464-8690 or the Northport Police Department at (205) 339-6600.

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