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Justice delayed for hit and run victim looking for closure

Posted at 6:57 PM, Oct 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-25 19:06:35-04

CALHOUN COUNTY, Mich. -- Hit and run survivor James Pettigrew came face to face with the man accused of running him over.  However, a scheduled step toward justice was once again delayed Tuesday afternoon at the Calhoun County Courthouse.

FOX 17 learned that suspect Gregory Williams' attorney apparently had a scheduling conflict and this  caused confusion for everyone. So the preliminary hearing was adjourned. But James Pettigrew isn't losing hope.

"It's moving. It's moving slow, but it's moving," Pettigrew told FOX 17.

Pettigrew arrived in his wheelchair, along with supporters. He expected to possibly testify against Williams. In May, Williams allegedly ran Pettigrew over while the veteran was riding his mobility scooter in Battle Creek. It left him in critical condition.

Police arrested Williams the next day. However, it took all summer for police and the prosecutor's office to decide on charges against him. He's charged with driving while license suspended and failure to stop after injuring someone in an accident.

As he left the courtroom, FOX 17 asked Williams if he had anything to say about the case. He responded, "Not at all sir."

On his way to the elevator, Williams walked by Pettigrew without acknowledging him.

Pettigrew told FOX 17, "He didn't even look at me. He didn't even look at me."

He added, "He disrupted my life forever and didn't have the decency to address me."

"I want closure, and I want to know why he left me out there like that. I want to hear from him," Pettigrew said.

He continues his rehab at Hope Network and said he's progressing. Staff have helped him to start walking again, and he said he's taking more and more steps.

A new date for the hearing hasn't been set yet.