News

Jury convicts driver of hit-and-run pedestrian fatality

By Lightning Reports, Published: December 12, 2025

BREVARD — A 47-year-old Florida man was found guilty Tuesday of the hit-and-run crash that caused the death of a pedestrian trying to cross N.C. 280 in Brevard in October 2023.

After a six-day trial, a Transylvania County Superior Court jury found Robert Michael Boland guilty of, involuntary manslaughter, hit-and-run causing death, obstruction of justice and driving while license revoked, District Attorney R. Andrew Murray announced.
According to investigative and trial records, Brevard police and Transylvania County Emergency Services received a 911 call on the evening of Oct. 3, 2023, reporting that a pedestrian attempting to cross N.C. 280 in front of the Tidal Car Wash had been struck by a motor vehicle. The pedestrian, Lee Waters, was found critically injured and immediately transported by EMS to the hospital. Despite extensive medical efforts, he died of his injuries several days later.

Investigating the case, Brevard police determined that the driver of the vehicle had failed to stop to render aid or provide essential information regarding the collision. The investigation included measurements of the crash scene, collection of debris, eyewitness interviews and review of surveillance footage from nearby businesses. Witness statements and video evidence indicated that the suspect's vehicle was a dark-colored large SUV with two occupants in the front seats. A fragment of a piece of trim recovered at the scene contained a part number consistent with a Dodge Durango that was installed in certain model years.

Working collaboratively with detectives from the Transylvania County Sheriff's Office, Brevard police began searching for the Durango and its occupants. Officers posted information on social media and requested public assistance, resulting in numerous tips that had to be pursued and ruled out. On December 1, 2023, two months after the accident, an off-duty Transylvania County detective spotted a dark-colored Durango in a parking lot with extensive front-end damage. Investigators quickly determined that the damage was consistent
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with the pedestrian collision, and the debris recovered from the scene matched the vehicle. A search warrant was obtained, and DNA was collected from damaged areas of the SUV. Laboratory results indicated a likely match to the decedent.
Boland, the driver of the Durango, agreed to a voluntary interview, during which he admitted to driving on N.C. 280 through Brevard on the night of Oct. 3, 2023, while impaired by methamphetamine and alcohol and while distracted by a female passenger who was arguing with him. Boland having struck anyone.
After locating and interviewing the female passenger, investigators learned that Boland was obviously impaired when he struck the victim, who was propelled into the front windshield, causing significant damage. The passenger reported that Boland refused to stop after the collision and that she had to force her way out of the vehicle when Boland eventually stopped in a parking lot. She stated that she had to kick the passenger door open due to accident-related damage. She fully cooperated with investigators and testified at trial, explaining that she initially failed to come forward out of fear of legal consequences and fear of what Boland might do to her if she reported the incident.

After the verdict, Boland, through his attorney, admitted to his status as a habitual felon. On the charge of hit-and-run resulting in death, Superior Court Judge Carla Archie sentenced the defendant to 96 months to 128 months as a habitual offender. The judge imposed an additional consecutive sentence of 96 to 128 months on the felony death by motor vehicle conviction. The combined sentence totals 16 to 21 years in state prison. Sentences for the remaining convictions will run concurrently with the 16- to 21-year sentence.

Assistant District Attorney Lily Ferry prosecuted the case throughout the trial and sentencing.

Murray praised Brevard police and Transylvania sheriff's deputies for their work.

"Their professional response, collaboration, and thorough investigation resulted in justice for the decedent's family and for the Transylvania County communities,” he said. “For at least the next 16 years, Boland — a prolific criminal offender with multiple prior armed robbery convictions — will not be able to harm any member of the community we collectively strive to protect."