Friends remember man killed in Sunday police chase

Friends are remembering Sean Alan Evans as a man who loved his family and saw unlimited opportunities in any business adventure.

Tenants of Evans recall a landlord who was patient and understanding when it came to the hardships of life.

Evans, 51, was killed Sunday when the Jeep Wrangler he was driving was struck by a vehicle driven by Timothy Willoughby Jr., who authorities say ran multiple red lights as he was fleeing police after robbing the Walmart in Porters Neck.

“Sean had a love for life and a real keen interest in business,” said Kim Hutchens, Evans’ close friend from Raleigh who spoke to the StarNews on Monday.

“He loved going to Wilmington to enjoy the weekends and keep up with his business down there. He just had a tremendous love for his family and friends and was always a fun guy to be around.”

Evans grew up in Fairmont and graduated from UNCW in 1990. He is a Certified Public Accountant who rents multiple homes and condos that he owns at Oleander Court.

One of his tenants, Cindy Colucci, reached out to share her personal story of Evans’ kindness.

Colucci was looking for a new home years ago while going through a divorce. She came across a place that Evans owned, and she reached out to the Raleigh businessman.

When Evans finally got in touch with Colucci, she decided she wouldn’t waste his time. Her credit score wasn’t in a good place and figured she’d never get the apartment.

Evans responded, “Let’s just talk.”

“We got on the phone and he told me about how his mother went through a divorce and he knew how hard it was on her,” Colucci said. “I gave him a couple references and I ended up getting the apartment, when maybe I wouldn’t have if it was another landlord. He really took a chance when I was struggling, and it was really meaningful to me.”

Police have charged Willoughby, 40, with murder after Sunday’s wreck.

According to a news release from Linda Thompson of the Wilmington Police Department, in addition to the murder charge, Willoughby was also charged with speeding to elude officers, exceeding the posted speed, driving while impaired, running a red light, misdemeanor breaking and entering and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to Hutchens, Evans’ family owns a respected farm in Robeson County. Nick Evans, Sean’s brother, runs the farm today.

– Reporter Jackson Fuller can be reached at Jackson.Fuller@StarNewsOnline.com or 910-343-2262.