Pedestrian dies after a hit & run in Macon. Suspect arrested months later, deputies say

A pedestrian died Friday, months after she was severely injured and left in critical condition from a hit and run in Macon, the Bibb County Coroner’s Office confirmed.

The incident happened on March 19, when deputies got a 911 call about a person hit by a 2019 red Dodge Challenger in the 2000 block of Pio Nono Avenue near Anthony Road, according to an incident report from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the scene and found 31-year-old Shamaamah Hawkins-Clyatt, from Atlanta, “unresponsive” and in “critical condition,” according to an incident report filled out by officers.

Hawkins-Clyatt suffered a traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness, a persistent vegetative state, several fractures, seizures or convulsions and other injuries, according to a report from the coroner’s office.

“She never recovered. Look at her injuries,” Coroner Leon Jones told The Telegraph.

The driver of the Challenger, later identified as 31-year-old Vedohr Devonte Starkes from Macon, fled the scene.

Deputies obtained a warrant for Starkes’ cell phone and location data records six days after the crash, the incident report said.

The sheriff’s office Criminal Investigations and Gang units followed these leads, which led to his arrest in July, Deputy Alexis Mitchell told The Telegraph.

The incident was still under investigation Monday. Starkes’ charges were unclear Monday.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

This story was originally published October 28, 2024 at 12:23 PM.