Man Arrested for Hit and Run Involving Toddler in Ellijay Georgia

A  man from Talking Rock, GA was arrested for a hit-and-run involving an 18 month-old boy Friday night.

A silver Ford Fusion, with a drive-out tag, struck the child in the Gilmer County River Park parking lot around 9 p.m.

The child's father reported to police what he saw and they were able to track the car to Waleska and arrest 26 year-old Jordan Allen Hyde, of Talking Rock.  Hyde was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and serious injury by vehicle.

The toddler was reported to be in “stable but non-responsive” condition.

It has not been said whether or not Hyde has an attorney.

There have been quite a few hit-and-runs in the news as of late.  Just so you know, if you hit someone, whether in a car or not, you are legally obligated to notify law enforcement and remain at the scene.

If you are in an accident, Georgia law states that:

(a) The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or the death of any person or in damage to a vehicle which is driven or attended by any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of the accident or shall stop as close thereto as possible and forthwith return to the scene of the accident and shall:

(1) Give his or her name and address and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving;

(2) Upon request and if it is available, exhibit his or her operator's license to the person struck or the driver or occupant of or person attending any vehicle collided with;

(3) Render to any person injured in such accident reasonable assistance, including the transporting, or the making of arrangements for the transporting, of such person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital for medical or surgical treatment if it is apparent that such treatment is necessary or if such transporting is requested by the injured person; and

(4) Where a person injured in such accident is unconscious, appears deceased, or is otherwise unable to communicate, make every reasonable effort to ensure that emergency medical services and local law enforcement are contacted for the purpose of reporting the accident and making a request for assistance. The driver shall in every event remain at the scene of the accident until fulfilling the requirements of this subsection. Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. (b) If such accident is the proximate cause of death or a serious injury, any person knowingly failing to stop and comply with the requirements of subsection (a) of this Code section shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years.

UPDATE:  Unfortunately the child from the hit-and-run has died, according to Channel 2 News.  Hyde bonded out of jail Saturday but has since been rearrested and his charges have been upgraded to first-degree homicide by vehicle and DUI/Drugs; for which bond is not available. He was also charged with 2 counts of financial transaction card fraud.

If you have been arrested for hit-and-run or for leaving the scene of an accident, contact the Law Offices of Richard Lawson.  Your case is not hopeless; there are always possible defenses.  Richard has more than 20 years of experience under his belt defending these types of cases and others.  Put his experience and expertise to work for you!