A Camp Lejeune Marine has been charged in a fatal hit and run accident that took the life of a North Carolina teenager, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Master Sgt. Remi Rodriguez, 45, is a member of the 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. 

“Second Marine Division takes these charges very seriously and is cooperating with local authorities,” 1st Lt. Thomas Kleiber, the II MEF public affairs officer, told Marine Corps Times. ”Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family affected by this terrible tragedy.”  

Rodriguez was driving a pickup truck along Queens Creek Road in Onslow County Friday night when he allegedly ran off the road and hit a curve warning sign, according to WNCN.

After striking the sign, police say he allegedly hit 17-year-old Joseph Daniel Collins, who was walking down the road.

Rodriguez allegedly fled the scene of the accident and was found a short time later at his home, according to the report.

Collins was transported to Onslow Memorial Hospital where he died of his injuries. Collins recently took the ASVAB and aspired to become a Marine, his parents told WNCN.

Rodriguez has been charged with driving while intoxicated, felony hit and run, felony death by motor vehicle and careless and reckless driving. He is being held at the Onslow County Jail with bail set at $100,000. 

Rodriguez joined the Marine Corps in 1994 and attained his current rank of master sergeant in 2011, Kleiber said.

His awards and decorations include: National Defense Service, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal. 


About Mackenzie Wolf

Mackenzie Wolf is an editorial intern for Military Times.

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