Owner of SUV believed to be in hit-and-run is ‘person of interest'

The owner of a 2004 black Chevrolet Tahoe says he was not driving when the SUV struck and killed a 22-year-old woman walking along Powers Ferry Place just before midnight Thursday, according to Marietta police.

The SUV was found abandoned about 30 minutes later and police interviewed the owner of the SUV later in the day. "He remains a person of interest," Marietta police spokeswoman officer Jenny Murphy told The Atlanta Journal Constitution Friday.

"Obviously he says he wasn’t driving. He suggested it might have been stolen though he hasn't reported it stolen. That's part of the investigation, " Murphy said.

Jaytann West was walking on the side of Powers Ferry Place near Delk Road when she was hit around 11:50 p.m. Thursday. She died of her injuries later at Kennestone Hospital.

Though she was walking with someone, the friend did not see the driver, Murphy said. Police are looking for witnesses.

The SUV police believe hit West was involved in another accident and was found at 12:20 a.m. Friday abandoned on an Interstate 75 exit ramp to South Marietta Parkway. The keys had been taken and the SUV was locked, Murphy said.

The SUV could not be driven because it had hit something that damaged the wheels.