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Police identify driver and victim in Thursday's deadly hit-and-run, but are not telling

Smyrna Police said they have identified both the driver and the victim from Thursday's incident, but they are not releasing that information yet.

Police in Smyrna said late Saturday night that they had taken a suspect into custody in connection with a deadly hit-and-run along South Cobb Drive on Thursday. 

But they said they were not ready to reveal that person's name, opting instead to investigate the incident further. 

On Saturday, investigators said they had determined who the victim was, but were not ready to reveal that information. 

The incident happened at about 6:40 p.m. Thursday evening at the corner of South Cobb Drive and Ash Kay Drive. 

Police were initially left with a double mystery after the incident: not only finding out who was responsible for the deadly hit-and-run, but exactly who the victim was. 

At least one witness said the crash sent the victim, who was walking in a dark section of the turn lane at the time of the crash, flying. The witness had just seen the man crossing the street before hearing a loud noise and then seeing the aftermath immediately afterward.

The suspect vehicle was described as an early-2000s model white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.  And one of the witnesses managed to get pictures of it before the driver left.

Credit: Smyrna Police Department
The suspect's truck, a white Chevrolet Silverado, has serious damage to the driver's side.

It had a large toolbox mounted in the bed. But what sets this vehicle apart from others right now is heavy damage to the driver's side. 

It also has a license plate with a number reading either RFM369 or RFN369. Police also noted a special "USA-1" license plate on the front bumper that was red, white and blue.

Credit: Smyrna Police Department
Police believe the suspected truck involved in a deadly hit-and-run had a front-side custom license plate similar to this.

After the accident, the driver was seen heading south on South Cobb Drive toward Concord Road. Police said the driver appeared to be a Hispanic man in his 20s or 30s.

They have a decent description of the suspect because, initially, he did get out and speak to witnesses. 

“The guy that hit the man, he was there, he was just really scared and stuff like that," witness Josue Gutierrez said. "You know, he was saying he didn’t have no insurance in the truck. So he jumped in his truck and he left, he left the scene.”

The search for the victim's identity has fewer clues, however. He was a black or Hispanic man with a medium brown complexion and appeared to be between 50 and 60 years old. He was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and dark pants when he was hit. 

Beyond that, the only clue police seem to have at this point is that he had a key ring with a Boost Mobile lanyard attached. Smyrna Police Sgt. Louis Defense said there aren't any reports of missing people on-file right now that they believe are tied to the victim.

He also said that this story could have had a better outcome for the driver - even given the tragedy - had he not left.

“This would possibly be a different conversation that we’re having," Defense said. "It would be a tragedy still, but it would not be as criminal in nature.”

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