A pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle that fled the scene on I-75 in Dooly County early Tuesday morning, according to the Georgia State Patrol.
The fatal crash happened just before 6 a.m. on I-75 southbound near mile marker 109. The pedestrian was struck in the right lane and died at the scene, according to state patrol officials.
The driver left the scene without stopping, prompting an active investigation by the Georgia State Patrol’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team.
What We Know: State patrol investigators are reviewing video footage to identify the vehicle involved in the deadly hit-and-run. Officials believe the suspect vehicle is possibly a semi-truck that would have damage to the right side headlight assembly from the impact.
The crash occurred in the right lane of I-75 southbound, and the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team has taken over the investigation due to the serious nature of the crash.
Take Action: Anyone who was traveling on I-75 southbound near mile marker 109 in Dooly County around 6 a.m. Thursday is asked to contact investigators. People with information about the crash or who may have seen a semi-truck with right side headlight damage should call the Troop H Radio Room at (229) 386-3333 and ask to speak with a member of the Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team.
Even small details could help investigators identify the vehicle and driver responsible for the fatal crash.
Hit-and-run crashes involving pedestrians carry serious criminal penalties in Georgia, including potential felony charges depending on the circumstances. The investigation remains active as officials work to identify the suspect vehicle and driver.
How to Read and Understand the News
Truth doesn’t bend because we dislike it.
Facts don’t vanish when they make us uncomfortable.
Events happen whether we accept them or not.
Good reporting challenges us. The press isn’t choosing sides — it’s relaying what official, verified sources say. Blaming reporters for bad news is like blaming a thermometer for a fever.
Americans have a history of misunderstanding simple things. In the 1980s, A&W rolled out a 1/3-pound burger to compete with McDonald’s Quarter Pounder. It failed because too many people thought 1/3 was smaller than 1/4. If we can botch basic math, we can certainly misread the news.
Before dismissing a story, ask yourself:
- What evidence backs this?
- Am I reacting to facts or feelings?
- What would change my mind?
- Am I just shooting the messenger?
And one more: Am I assuming bias just because I don’t like the story?
Smart news consumers seek truth, not comfort.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
