'He was scared to death': Lincolnton, NC Walmart hit and run was an accident, police say

The driver who accidentally struck six migrant workers with a car Sunday at a bus stop outside a Walmart in North Carolina has been released from jail, police said.

Daniel Gonzalez turned himself in to police in Lincolnton, North Carolina, where he was arrested and charged with felony hit and run.

Gonzalez was driving in the Walmart parking lot when he rolled over a median near a bus stop and struck the six people who were standing and sitting while waiting to board a bus with their groceries, police told USA TODAY.

After police interviewed Gonzalez, they determined he had hit the group by accident, police Capt. Matt Painter told USA TODAY. In North Carolina, it is a felony to hit someone with a vehicle, cause personal injury and leave the scene, he said.

"He's just an older gentleman and hit the gas instead of the brake," Painter said. "He was scared to death and didn't know what to do, so that's why he left the scene."

All six victims have been released from the hospital after being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Gonzalez is 69 and is also a migrant worker, Painter said.

Lincolnton police said Gonzalez has been cooperating with detectives and they have recovered the vehicle involved in the incident. Officers have also notified the victims, police said.

Gonzalez made $50,000 bond Tuesday and was released from custody. He had a clean record, according to police.

Lincolnton police release video of accident

In a video released by Lincolnton police, the driver slowly drives near a white bus, turns toward a parking spot and runs over the workers, who are on the sidewalk at the bus stop.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lincolnton Walmart hit and run was an accident, police say