Hit-and-run suspect identified after body found in Macon, officer says

Federal officers were searching for a man who allegedly struck and killed a pedestrian whose body was found months ago in Macon, according to Macon Regional Crimestoppers.

Carmelo Aamir Johnson, 21, was identified as the driver who allegedly crashed into 23-year-old Ronni Nykole Abbott on Rocky Creek Road, Sgt. Greg Thomas told The Telegraph on Friday.

Abbott was reported missing a day before investigators found her dead on Aug. 28 in a wooded embankment beside the road. She died from “blunt force trauma to the head” in the crash, Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones previously said.

Johnson was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service for charges including hit-and-run, and vehicular homicide, Crimestoppers said.

Johnson was previously found guilty of two counts of felony theft by taking after he stole an SUV and keys that belonged to Stratford Academy in 2023, then violated probation, Macon Judicial Court records show.

Anyone can submit tips on Abbott’s death to Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68CRIME, or the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500.

This story was originally published October 31, 2025 at 5:37 PM.