Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Child Killed By Hit and Run Driver at Brownlee Road

Police say a child was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver, who was DUI, in Atlanta on Monday.


Update: APD Officer Kim Jones confirms that the suspect has been caught and charged with vehicular homicide, saying, " Gatha M Dyer, B/M, DOB: 6-7-69, has been charged with Vehicular Homicide 1st degree, DUI, Leaving the scene of an accident, Driving While license Suspended, Failure to yield, Failure to maintain lane, and Reckless Driving. Mr. Dyer is at the Fulton Co Jail."

Atlanta Police investigatied a fatal hit and run accident that occurred on Boulder Park Drive at Brownlee Road, Monday afternoon.  They have concluded that the tragic accident was caused by a DUI driver, Gatha Dyer, who later turned himself in.

According to Officer John Chafee, "On 4-01-2013 around 5:30pm officers responded to Boulder Park Dr. and Brownlee Rd. in southwest Atlanta regarding a child struck by a vehicle call.  Upon arrival officers found a 12 year old child deceased on the sidewalk."

Find out what's happening in Cascadewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The boy, identified as Patrick Williams, was walking at Boulderpark Drive and Brownlee Road, where he was visiting an uncle and cousins.

First reports were that officers were looking for the driver, but Police have since confirmed that, "the driver later turned himself in to police in Clayton County and is now in Atlanta Police custody."

Find out what's happening in Cascadewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The family told WSB reporters that, "Dyer’s passenger got out of the car and returned to the scene, helping police arrest Dyer at his home."

Officer Chafee told Cascade Patch that the, "preliminary investigation indicates that the vehicle was traveling east on Boulder Park Dr when it struck the child as he crossed the street."

Charges were filed against the suspect on Tuesday morning.  Stay with Cascade Patch for any updates.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Cascade