Hit-and-Run Victim's Parents Speak for First Time

Parents of an Oceanside cyclist struck and killed nearly a year ago say it’s unbelievable that someone would leave their son lying along the road for hours.

β€œThe thought of him lying there with no one with him just tears me apart,” Nancy White told NBC 7 Saturday.

β€œI can’t understand why a person would leave,” she said. β€œIt’s unbelievable.”

Navy Medical Assistant Accused in Fatal Hit-and-Run of Oceanside Cyclist

Nancy and her husband David spoke for the first time about the collision that killed their 28-year-old son, Philip, and the year-long investigation into his death.

Disturbing details of this fatal accident released by Oceanside investigators Thursday may add insult to the tragedy.

The Whites lost their youngest child and only son on September 21, 2014. Philip was killed while riding his bike on North River Road around 1:30 a.m. His body wasn't discovered for four more hours.

They were told of Phillip's death on the second day of a trip of a lifetime to Venice. It was a time in their life when they felt comfortable enough to do something for themselves.

β€œWhen I heard it was Philip it just pulled the floor out from under me,” Philip’s father David said.

Oceanside police arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter Christopher Noah, 23, an active duty Navy medical assistant on Camp Pendleton.

Investigators say Noah told them he had been drinking and thought he hit a light pole.

However, Oceanside police told NBC 7 that physical evidence clearly indicates this was a collision with a person and that afterword the body was moved.

NBC 7’s Dave Summers reports that enlisted sailor Christopher Noah admits to the crash but has a much different account of what happened in those early morning hours, according to investigators.

David and Nancy want to find closure but for now will settle for justice.

β€œI think it's just reprehensible especially being in the military. They are and, I think, should be held to a higher standard,” David said.

Noah is charged with two felony counts of hit and run and vehicular manslaughter.

He is out on bail and scheduled for his first court appearance is Tuesday.
 

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