Hayesville man charged with hit and run death

The following press release has been issued by NCSHP.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol, in conjunction with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, would like to report an arrest in the 16 November 2018 hit-and-run death of Randall “Shorty” Penland of Hiawassee, GA.

Raymond Leo Hohmann III, age 36, of 1334 Old Highway 64 East, Hayesville, NC 28904 was arrested this morning (4/26/2019) and charged with the following offenses:

• Involuntary Manslaughter GS 14-18
• Felony Hit and Run GS 20-166a
• Felony Obstruction GS 14-221.1

Mr. Hohmann was taken before a magistrate where he was placed under a $100,000 Secured Bond and as of the time of this release was still in the custody of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

In the early morning hours of 16 November 2018, Trooper K. D. Hyde of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol was dispatched to US 64 east of Hayesville where the body of Randall “Shorty” Penland had been located. Upon Trooper Hyde’s arrival, he determined that Mr. Penland had been involved in a collision with a motor vehicle, which had left the scene. Deputies and investigators with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office as well as additional Highway Patrol personnel responded to assist and began what would be a five month long investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Penland’s death.

​Together, the Highway Patrol and Clay County Sheriff’s Office conducted an extensive investigation which spanned multiple jurisdictions in two states. The charges brought forward today were the culmination of this investigation and were brought under the advisement of local District Attorney’s Office.