Hit-and-run suspect turns himself in

By Larry Hartstein and Ty Tagami

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The man wanted in connection with a hit-and-run collision turned himself in Tuesday night, according to jail records.

Avelardo Franquez, 34, turned himself in to Morrow police. He was booked into the Clayton County Jail early Wednesday, charged with failure to stop and render aid, failure to make an accident report, following too close, driving too fast for conditions and driving with a suspended or revoked license.

Channel 2 Action News reported that two of Franquez's relatives were taken into custody on suspicion of helping him evade authorities.

Police have been looking for Franquez since Sunday, believing he was driving the vehicle that left the scene of an accident that left an 8-year-old boy in critical condition.

Damian Dennis was unconscious when paramedics arrived after the crash. He was rushed to Southern Regional Medical Center, then airlifted to Children's at Egleston. His condition has been upgraded to stable.

On Monday, Morrow police found the Lexus SUV that they say injured Damian. The Lexus, found at a home in the 6400 block of Boca Grand Parkway, apparently did not slow down before the 6:30 a.m. collision.

"There was no evidence of any braking in the roadway," Morrow Police Capt. James Callaway said.

Damian was in the back seat of a Mercury Sable driven by his mother, Latarsha Jagne, of Morrow. They were stopped at a light on Jonesboro Road at Southlake Plaza Drive, near I-75, when the SUV hit them from behind, then kept going southbound, police said.

Damian's mother was treated at Southern Regional Medical Center and released.

--Staff writers Kristi E. Swartz and Mike Morris contributed to this report.