Dare County, N.C. - A 53-year-old cab driver died in Sentara Norfolk General hospital on Sunday, April 20th, a week after being discovered bleeding in a Kill Devil Hills driveway near his cab.
Evidence now shows that Harvey had some type of medical condition that caused his injuries and subsequent death.
Residents in the Colington neighborhood called authorities on the night of April 13th after they discovered 53-year-old Atlantic Cab Company driver Mark Harvey bleeding and unconscious in a driveway on Harbour View Drive, near his cab.
NewsChannel 3 spoke with Harvey’s parents, who say he was placed in an induced coma after he had a section of skull removed to release pressure from swelling.
"We’re a small community down here and when one of us gets hurt, we try to rally around to help out,” says Kevin Cherry, who owns Mama Kwan’s in Kill Devil Hills.
Cherry says Harvey is well known and well liked in the community. Harvey’s mother says at midnight Sunday, Harvey was dispatched to the Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills.
While at the Brewing Station, he was dispatched to pick up his sister in Colington Harbor on Mybet Court.
Harvey was seen going through the guard shack at Colington Harbor but shortly afterwards, another taxi driver spotted Harvey sitting on the side of the road near 420 Harbour View Drive.
The driver was waved around Harvey, who says they didn't see anyone in the cab with Harvey at that time.
Four men from the Coast Guard were having a bonfire in a backyard near 420 Harbour View Drive. They noticed Harvey pull off the road, but did not notice anything odd.
A short time later, Harvey was seen pulling into the driveway of 420 Harbour View Drive and stop.
The Coast Guard men say they heard what they thought was Harvey's van striking the house, but did not hear any altercations or see anyone get out of the van.
Two of the Coast Guard men walked over to Harvey's van and noticed Harvey lying on the ground attempting to get up.
Harvey was able to give the men his wallet but his condition quickly deteriorated.
Authorities arrived and Harvey was transported to OBX Hospital and then Sentara Norfolk General.
So far, the investigation has not led the Dare County Sheriff's Office to anyone that assaulted Harvey.
His death remains a mystery to his closest friends, who are now remembering his life.
"He was definitely good with people, a positive person, good to be around and an all-around real good guy. I'm just trying to take it all in. I just can't believe that I will never talk to him again, " says close friend Mark Petit.
Sheriff Doughtie made the following statement, “Our hearts goes out to the Harvey family for their loss. I am proud of the work the Investigators put in to find out what happened in this case. Even though this was thought to be and turned out to be a medical issue, our investigators followed ever possible lead to make sure nothing was missed It’s nice to know we don’t have someone out there assaulting people in our community. I want to personally thank the community for their assistance. I would also like to thank the Outer Banks Brewing Station, Kangaroo at Colington Rd. and the Colington Guard Shack for providing videos that assisted us in this case.”
