WS Chronicle

Police continue investigation into hit-and-run tragedy

If you know me, then you know I’m a huge Duke basketball fan and I’m willing to argue with anyone, anywhere, about who’s the best in college basketball. Some of my most enjoyable debates occurred at the light near the corner of University Pkwy. and Deacon Blvd., with Mr. Gregory Slade. 

Slade, who is known throughout the community as “The Pointer” for the way he greeted passing cars while selling newspapers near Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, is one of the biggest Wake Forest fans I’ve ever met. Plenty of times our debates were interrupted by someone behind me at the light blowing their horn because the light had turned green. If you asked, Slade could tell you the names of incoming players and whatever else you wanted to know about Demon Deacon basketball. 

TyKeia Slade, Slade’s niece, said her uncle has always been a Wake fan. She said when her daughter was only four months old, Slade took her to her first basketball game. “As long as I can remember, he has always been a Wake fan. He always talked about the games, the people, and everybody that showed him love,” she said. 

“I was just looking at the pictures from when he took my daughter to her first game. I think it was in December of 2017. He was so excited to show everybody his newest niece.” 

Slade’s love for Demon Deacons didn’t just stop with the men’s basketball team. He showed the same love and passion for the women’s team, football, soccer, baseball, tennis, and even field hockey. And if you ever saw Slade at work, I’m sure you remember him. His perfectly-timed points that followed the rhythm of the music he was dancing to that day and his upbeat personality made him a legend here in Winston-Salem.

Tragically, on Saturday, Dec. 11, police responded to the 4100 block of North Patterson Ave., where they found Slade with injuries from being hit by a vehicle. According to police, the driver involved failed to stop and kept going. Slade was taken to the hospital and died the next day. 

Slade was on his way to watch Wake Forest take on USC Upstate at the coliseum when he was hit. 

By Monday afternoon, word of Slade’s untimely death was spreading like wildfire on social media, with hundreds of people sending their condolences to his family and sharing moments they shared with Slade, including dozens of athletes and students from Wake Forest. TyKeia said it’s been overwhelming to see how many people who had a connection with her uncle. 

“It’s overwhelming to read the comments … I’ve been trying to read as many of them as I can, but I promise I’m going to read every single one. But just to see them say he was Winston-Salem means a lot because that’s my Uncle Greg,” she continued. “There have been people who don’t even live here but said every time they came to town they look forward to seeing him. He just meant so much to so many people and to see the impact he had has just been overwhelming.” 

Slade’s sister, Beverly Slade, said her brother was a lively person who had a way of connecting with people. “He would always say a day is not promised to you so he enjoyed every day,” she said. Slade said she knew a lot of people knew her brother, but seeing the outpouring of support has been immense. “It has just been overwhelming and we thank everybody. Everyone that had a comment, that met him and reached out, we appreciate each and every one of you,” she said.

“I just hope he knew how many people loved him.” 

The Winston-Salem Police Department and Slade’s family are still searching for answers.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-773-7700, or Crime Stoppers at 333-727-2800. 

Beverly said she hopes the person who is responsible turns themselves in. “We wish whoever did this that took him away from us would turn themselves in because it was tragic,” she said.  

The funeral service and visitation for Gregory “The Pointer” Slade will be open to the public. Visitation will be held Monday, Dec. 20, from noon to 5 p.m. at Russell’s Funeral Home. The funeral will be at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 21, at Russell’s Funeral Home. A GoFundMe has been started to help the family with funeral and medical expenses.