Ongoing Douglas County Hit And Run Incident

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is currently seeking the public's assistance after a pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run accident this past Saturday in Lithia Springs.

According to Lt. Glenn Daniel, a vehicle hit and killed Robert Stoskopf, 67, while he was walking on the side of Thornton Road at Waterford Club Drive between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.

When found, the police will charge this suspect with hit-and-run, under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270, Hit And Run; Duty Of Driver To Stop At Or Return To Scene Of Accident,

More significantly, the suspect will probably be charged with Homicide By Vehicle. O.C.G.A. § 40-6-393 states (in part):

(b) Any driver of a motor vehicle who, without malice aforethought, causes an accident which causes the death of another person and leaves the scene of the accident in violation of subsection (b) of Code Section 40-6-270 commits the offense of homicide by vehicle in the first degree and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than three years nor more than 15 years.

Under this statute, Vehicular Homicide occurs when a driver commits a traffic offense that proximately causes another person's death. This charge is extremely serious. It carries a minimum of three years imprisonment and up to 15 years as a maximum penalty.  The longer this driver takes to be found will increase the likelihood of a sentence closer to the maximum sentence because of the lack of remorse that is shown when a driver tries to evade capture.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office encourages anyone who might have witnessed the accident or have any other details to call the Douglas County Sheriff's Office tip line at 678-486-1253 or Investigator Josh Miller at 770-949-5656.  The purpose is not to involve citizens in the case but to capture the person responsible.

The driver that hit the pedestrian will be a top-rated Douglas County DUI Lawyer.