High Point family seeks justice 8 months after hit-and-run left man ‘fighting for his life’

HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) — A family is still seeking justice eight months after a man was severely injured in a hit-and-run in Jamestown.

53-year-old Zonte Pittman was hit by a car in front of Flowers Baking Company on West Main Street, where he was found lying on the side of the road.

Zonte Pittman is paralyzed from the neck down, but, despite this, he has a positive attitude.

There is a suspect who is facing charges in this case, but Pittman’s family still has some questions about how this could happen.

“I’m doing fine. You know, I thank God I’m still here,” said Zonte Pittman.

It’s been 8 months since Zonte Pittman was the victim of a hit-and-run. His recovery has been full of highs and lows.

“He was fighting for his life for five, six months, but now that he’s transitioned out the hospital, he is off the ventilator, he is off the trach and he’s eating food and drinking really liquids. So, he has been fighting,” said Shamora Batts, Zonte Pittman’s sister.

Through it all, Pittman turns to his faith and family.

“I just depend on God for everything, and my family all the time. They give me motivation, talk to my kids, they give me motivation, and my sister,” said Pittman.

The day of the crash, he had been walking back to work at Flowers Baking Co. when he was hit. Someone called 911 saying they saw it.

Three days later, Ryan D’ron Vaneaton was arrested for felony hit-and-run.

“They indicted him on the charges, but, I mean its a lot of damage there,” Batts said. “It’s hard to speak on because, you know, I still have a little bit of anger per se. I don’t hate, but I’m angry still.”

While Vaneaton is facing charges, he is not in the Guilford County Jail. He bonded out on those charges. This upsets Pittman’s family.

While in this case, there is a suspect, in many hit-and-runs that remains a mystery. Fox 8 reached out to several law enforcement agencies to ask how many hit-and-runs remain unsolved.

Greensboro police responded, and said there have been 2,492 hit and run reports this year that have no suspect information, that number also includes reports involving parked vehicles, mailboxes, fences or other property damage.

“It’s horrible, because some people don’t even find out who hit half of their loved ones or family members. Thank God they were able to locate the car that hit my brother, and maybe this can be an outreach or outlet for someone is dealing with the same thing that we’re going through. Don’t give up. You know, keep your faith. Stay on it. Whatever you need to do,” said Batts.

Ryan Vaneaton, the suspect in Pittman’s case, has a scheduled court date for allegedly driving while his license revoked on October 8, at the Guilford County Courthouse in Greensboro.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.