Two people were struck by a vehicle early Saturday at the busy Vine City intersection of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW and Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard NW, leaving one person fighting for their life and another badly hurt while the driver sped off into the dark. Police say the motorist never stopped and left the scene, and the hit-and-run remains under active investigation.
What police say
According to Atlanta News First, officers were called to the intersection around 3:30 a.m. after reports that pedestrians had been struck in the roadway. The outlet reports one victim was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, while the second was taken in what officials described as conscious and breathing condition.
Vehicle fled the scene
As reported by 11Alive, the Atlanta Police Department confirmed the vehicle did not remain at the scene and that detectives are actively working leads. As of now, APD has not announced any arrests and is asking anyone with information to step up and help fill in the gaps.
Pedestrian safety in Atlanta
Pedestrian crashes remain a stubborn problem in the region, and this latest hit-and-run lands in a city already on edge about dangerous streets. The Georgia Strategic Highway Safety Plan notes that a large share of the state's pedestrian fatalities occur in the Atlanta metro area. Those numbers have fueled long-standing calls for safer crossings and slower speeds on major arterials that cut past neighborhoods like Vine City. The plan lays out regional patterns and potential countermeasures that state and local officials are considering.
How to help
Anyone who saw the crash or the vehicle involved is urged to contact the Atlanta Police Department's non-emergency line at 404-658-6666 or use APD's online reporting options. The department's main site outlines how to submit tips and access Crime Stoppers resources. The Atlanta Police Department provides contact details and reporting portals for members of the public who want to share information.
