This past Sunday, September 25, 2011, early in the morning, a man was struck by a vehicle resulting in his tragic death. The man killed was Jacob G. Halbrooks. Halbrooks was 23 years old and resided in Covington, Georgia. The hit and run occurred near the Martin Luther King Drive overpass on the southbound side of the Downtown Connector. The vehicle that hit Halbrooks took off after striking Halbrooks and was not at the scene when police arrived.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Halbrooks was walking when he was hit by a vehicle. Investigators said that Halbrooks died of blunt force trauma, possibly caused by a heavy truck. Investigators are searching for the suspect involved in the deadly hit and run and had to block part of the southbound lanes as they looked for clues.
Our thoughts are with Halbrooks family and friends.
A Hit and Run is considered a serious crime in the state of Georgia, and one that carries stiff legal penalties. Georgia law clearly stipulates that it is illegal to leave the scene of an accident before driver information is exchanged, injuries are attended to, and/or police or emergency professionals arrive on the scene. Motor vehicle accidents are stressful events. A Hit and Run, irrespective of the degree of damage, only complicates matters and yields no benefits.
Given the seriousness of the crime, Hit and Run drivers can and should be prosecuted to the greatest degree possible. Drivers who commit hit and runs in Georgia, like those who drive while intoxicated, can be subject to punitive damages in addition to the compensation obtainable for injuries suffered in other types of accidents. Childers, Schlueter & Smith, LLC attorneys will fight uncompromisingly for you if you have been injured as a result of a Hit and Run. We will ensure that the perpetrator pays in full for his or her wrongdoing. Contact us today.
