In a remarkable breakthrough, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced on Friday that they have solved a hit-and-run case from 1989 using modern DNA technology. The case, which remained a mystery for over three decades, involved the tragic death of 52-year-old Ruth Buchanan as she attempted to cross a street in Charlotte, N.C.

At the time of the incident, police had the license plate number and description of the car that struck Buchanan, but it was later discovered that the vehicle had been stolen. The investigation subsequently reached a standstill, leaving the case cold indefinitely. However, advancements in DNA analysis have now shed light on the perpetrator.

Sgt. Gavin Jackson of CMPD's Major Crash Unit expressed amazement at the ability of DNA technology to link a specific individual to the crime over three decades later. The breakthrough came when evidence recovered from the stolen car was reexamined using new DNA tools.

The tragic event took place just a few days before New Year's Eve in 1989, as Buchanan and a companion were leaving a department store in Charlotte's business district. She was struck by a car that ran a red light, with the driver immediately fleeing the scene. Buchanan was rushed to the hospital but sadly succumbed to her injuries the following day.

Witnesses provided detailed information about the car, including its license plate number. A few days later, the police responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle outside a Comfort Inn, which matched the description of the car involved in the collision. It was later determined that the vehicle had been stolen from a local car dealership.

For 32 years, the case remained unsolved until law enforcement received an anonymous tip in 2022. While the tip proved to be false, it prompted detectives to reexamine the evidence. DNA taken from a marijuana cigarette found in the stolen car was matched to a man who was serving a 22-year sentence for an unrelated crime at the time.

The suspect, Herbert Stanback, now 68 years old, was working at a local hotel as part of a work-release program for inmates at the state prison when the hit-and-run occurred. In March, detectives met with Stanback in prison, where he confessed to the crime. Subsequently, in June, he was formally charged with the hit-and-run incident.

Sgt. Jackson personally informed Buchanan's son about the arrest, bringing a sense of closure to the grieving family. The unexpected news delivered over the phone marked a significant turning point in a case that had remained unresolved for decades.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's successful use of DNA technology in solving this cold case serves as a testament to the advancements in forensic science. It demonstrates the power of these tools in providing justice for victims and closure for their loved ones, even long after the crimes occurred.