Suspect Arrested In Death Of Cyclist On 221 Near Grandfather Mountain

Last Updated on October 19, 2019 2:16 pm

A suspect has been arrested in the death of a Florida man who succumbed to injuries from a hit and run accident on highway 221 near Grandfather Mountain last week.

North Carolina Highway Patrol Master Trooper Jeffery Swagger confirms to WataugaOnline.com that Charles Steward Bean, 55, of Creedmoor, NC has been arrested and charged with felony hit and run.  Bean was arrested at his residence in Granville County by the SHP Collision Reconstruction Unit and is being held at the Granville County Detention Center under a $35,000 bond.  A 2008 Toyota Sienna minivan has been located and secured by the SHP.

Trooper Swagger went on to say that Bean was identified on Wednesday morning after receiving tips from the public over the past several days. Additional charges are pending further investigation and consultation with the Caldwell County District Attorney’s Office.

Ignacio Giraldo, 61, of Sunrise, Florida passed away on Saturday (October 12), after being struck by a minivan that crossed the double yellow line in a curve traveling in the southbound lane. The minivan continued without stopping.

NCSHP had released photos of the suspect and vehicle earlier this week, after images were obtained from a tip that the suspect vehicle was spotted at a gas station in Boone.