Police are asking for the public’s help finding a man wanted for questioning in a series of hit-and-runs, including ones that killed a 78-year-old man and critically injured a 4-year-old girl.
DeKalb County police posted two pictures of the man on social media, asking for tips on his location. Anyone with information is asked to contact 911 or the department’s homicide unit at 770-724-7850.
WE NEED YOUR HELP: The man in the photos is wanted for questioning in two hit & runs on May 31st. One incident killed a 78-year-old man & the second critically injured a four-year-old. If you see this man, use caution & call 911 or our Homicide Unit at 770-724-7850! #WeAreDKPD pic.twitter.com/FZ70x7pjva
— DeKalb County Police Department (@DeKalbCountyPD) June 2, 2020
The violent series of incidents took place Sunday within a three ½-hour period, AJC.com previously reported. One of the hit-and-run vehicles was recovered by Marietta police, but the five people inside the car at the time were released without charges by DeKalb police.
RELATED: SUV involved in DeKalb hit-and-runs found in Marietta; suspect still wanted
About 10:45 a.m. Sunday, the 78-year-old man, whose name has not been released, was hit and killed near Wade Walker Park, police said. The victim’s silver Hyundai Sante Fe was stolen during the incident and used during the next two hit-and-runs.
The second incident took place about 12:30 p.m in Gwinnett County, authorities said.
According to an incident report, a Forsyth County man was was driving south on Buford Highway when his Volkswagen Jetta was rear-ended by the Hyundai after crossing over North Berkeley Lake Road.
The driver of the Jetta told police the Hyundai slowed down and got behind him before speeding up and intentionally crashing into his car.
When the vehicles pulled over, the driver of the Hyundai reportedly threatened to kill the man and acted like he had something in his hand, authorities said. Frightened, the driver of the Jetta put his car in reverse and left the scene.
He later told police the driver of the Hyundai appeared to be in his mid-30s and had shoulder-length dreadlocks, a small beard and a lazy eye, according to the report.
Nearly two hours later, the SUV hit a family of six as they rode their bicycles at North DeKalb Mall, DeKalb police said. A 4-year-old girl was taken to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston with critical injuries.
On Monday morning, Marietta police pulled over a silver Hyundai Sante Fe along I-75 South near Windy Hill Road. The vehicle turned out to be the one stolen during the deadly incident a day prior, Marietta police spokesman Chuck McPhilamy said.
Five people in the vehicle were detained, but McPhilamy said, “Due to the complex nature and severity of the (hit-and-run related) charges, both departments agreed that everything would be turned over to DeKalb County police investigators.” That included the five people, who were later released.
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