Months after a deadly hit-and-run on Harriman Highway, the family of the woman who was killed is hoping cash will do what heartbreak and unanswered questions have not. They are now offering a $2,500 reward for information that helps identify the driver who struck her and took off.
The crash happened last April on the 4200 block of U.S. Highway 61 near Blair Road and left the pedestrian with fatal injuries. Investigators say the vehicle fled the scene, and the case has remained open while detectives search for solid leads.
The family announced the reward this week and said the money will only be paid after the person or people responsible are arrested and convicted, and after law enforcement determines that a tip materially contributed to that conviction, as reported by WATE. According to the outlet, the $2,500 offer went out on Jan. 28, with relatives stressing that what they want most is justice for the victim. They added that tips can be anonymous and said they are coordinating with investigators as new information comes in.
What Happened On Harriman Highway
The Roane County Sheriff’s Office says a vehicle hit a pedestrian on the 4200 block of Harriman Highway, then left the scene. The road was briefly shut down while deputies and emergency crews responded, WVLT reported.
The sheriff’s office later posted an appeal on its Facebook page asking for witnesses to come forward, and Sheriff’s Initial Plea For Tips covered that first public call for help.
The victim has been identified by her family as Kristin Garkovich, who died after the collision, according to WATE. Authorities have not released a suspect description and say they still need eyewitness accounts and surveillance or dash-camera footage to narrow down the vehicle involved.
How The Reward Will Work
The family has been explicit that the cash will not change hands until investigators make an arrest and a court convicts the person responsible. They are asking anyone who comes forward to include as much detail as possible, including times, vehicle descriptions, photos or videos, so detectives can determine whether the information actually advances the case.
They also emphasized that the payment will depend on law enforcement verifying that a tip materially contributed to a conviction, keeping the focus on information that can hold up in court, not just rumors or hunches.
How To Help Investigators
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Greg Scalf with the Roane County Sheriff’s Office at 865-717-4700. Tips can be given anonymously, WVLT noted.
For general inquiries, the Roane County government lists the sheriff’s office at 200 E. Race Street in Kingston, with a main number of 865-376-5578 on its sheriff’s department page (Roane County Sheriffs Department).
The family acknowledged the reward is modest but said they hope it is enough to finally break the case after months of silence and uncertainty. Investigators are still urging anyone who was on or near Harriman Highway around the time of the crash to review any footage they might have and to come forward if they saw anything at all. The Roane County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate.
