Mableton Man Arrested for Hit and Run Death of Pedestrian at I 75 Ramp

A Mableton man has been arrested and charged with Hit-And-Run for the death of pedestrian Harry Maurent, 30, of Austell on May 18, 2014.

Cobb County Police had asked the public to come forward with any information on the vehicle or its possible driver.  Witnesses had described the vehicle as a medium-sized pickup truck or sport utility vehicle that was light in color, and likely had damage to the front.  After weeks of searching for the vehicle, police received anonymous information from Crime Stoppers that led to the arrest of 34-year-old John Hendrix Riddle.

The Crime Stopper tipster led police to a damaged 2004 Saturn Vue that apparently had sustained damage “consistent with a high-speed pedestrian collision.” The GBI Crime Lab will be able to test if the damage to the vehicle is consistent to the physical evidence at the scene.

Riddle has also been charged with Driving On A Suspended License.

Police say that Maurent was traveling west with three passengers on Interstate 285 when his car ran out of gas.  His car stalled at the triangle area at the entrance of the Interstate 75 ramp.

Maurent was attempting to cross the ramp to get to Cobb Parkway when he was hit by a SUV that did not stop to render aid or call for an ambulance.

Three additional vehicles subsequently struck Maurent. Those drivers remained at the scene and cooperated with law enforcement.

This is perfect example of how doing the right thing does not result in horrible consequences. The other three drivers stopped to render aid and will not be criminally charged.  The hit-and-run driver, on the other hand, will be charged because of his criminal decision to leave the scene.  He will need a Cobb County DUI Lawyer, as a result.

If you are in a car accident, it is your duty to stop and render aid, even if you are not at fault.  It is, of course, the humane thing to do as well.