Fatal Hit-and-Run on Campbellton Road in Southwest Atlanta Claims Pedestrian's Life

Modified Date: 
Wed, 02/26/2025 - 7:38am
Accident Date: 
Monday, February 24, 2025

Pedestrian killed in hit-and-run in near Cascade Park in Atlanta, police say

Investigators believe the victim was sitting in the road when a red or maroon-colored pick-up truck going east on Campbellton Road hit him at a “low rate of speed.”

Pedestrian killed while sitting on Campbellton Road, police seek driver

Atlanta police are investigating a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred late Monday night at the intersection of Campbellton Road SW and Childress Drive SW.

 

A man lost his life following a hit-and-run collision that occurred late Monday night in southwest Atlanta near Cascade Park. According to Atlanta Police Department reports, officers responded to an emergency call at approximately 11:58 p.m. on Monday at the intersection of Campbellton Road SW and Childress Drive SW. Upon arrival, first responders discovered a male victim lying in the roadway with serious injuries. Emergency medical services transported the injured pedestrian to a local hospital, where medical staff pronounced him deceased despite life-saving efforts. Preliminary investigation by law enforcement indicates the victim was sitting in the roadway when he was struck by a vehicle described as a red or maroon-colored pickup truck traveling eastbound on Campbellton Road at what officers characterized as a "low rate of speed." The driver failed to remain at the scene, continuing eastbound on Campbellton Road after the collision. Atlanta Police have confirmed the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Location and Infrastructure

The fatal collision occurred at the intersection of Campbellton Road SW and Childress Drive SW, a significant junction in southwest Atlanta situated near Cascade Park, a popular recreational area. Campbellton Road serves as a major east-west arterial thoroughfare in this part of Atlanta, connecting multiple neighborhoods and carrying substantial traffic volume throughout the day. This four-lane roadway features moderate to heavy traffic patterns, particularly during peak hours, and serves both residential and commercial areas. The intersection with Childress Drive is controlled by traffic signals and is in proximity to residential neighborhoods, small businesses, and community facilities. This stretch of Campbellton Road has moderate street lighting and standard pedestrian infrastructure, though pedestrian activity in late evening hours is typically limited. The area falls within Atlanta's southwest quadrant, approximately seven miles from downtown.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Georgia law, hit-and-run accidents resulting in injury or death carry severe legal penalties, including potential felony charges for the driver who fled the scene. Georgia's Code Section 40-6-270 requires drivers involved in accidents resulting in injury or death to stop immediately and render reasonable assistance. For the victim's family, Georgia's wrongful death statutes (O.C.G.A. § 51-4-1) may provide legal recourse to seek compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost financial support, and pain and suffering. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which could affect recovery if the victim's actions contributed to the accident. The statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims in Georgia is generally two years from the date of death, making timely legal consultation important. Uninsured motorist coverage from the victim's own insurance policy may provide compensation even if the hit-and-run driver remains unidentified.

Related Resources

Emergency Services

  • Atlanta Police Department: (404) 614-6544
  • Grady Memorial Hospital Trauma Center: (404) 616-1000
  • Atlanta Fire Rescue Department: (404) 546-7000

Traffic Safety Resources

  • Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: (404) 656-6996
  • Atlanta Department of Transportation: (404) 330-6240
  • Georgia Department of Transportation Road Conditions: 511

Support Services

  • Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program: (800) 547-0060
  • Atlanta Victim Assistance Program: (404) 588-4740
  • Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Georgia: (770) 615-3737

Legal Resources

Topics: 
Hit and Run