DECATUR, Ga. — A week after a 16-year-old was struck and killed while crossing a busy Decatur intersection police have announced they have issued warrants for man's arrest.
The 26-year-old is facing charges of homicide by vehicle in the first-degree and reckless driving. He is not in custody, Decatur Police Department investigators said Monday.
According to police, the man was driving a gray BMW 330i and turning left onto East College Avenue from Commerce Drive around 7:17 p.m. While turning, the man accelerated, leaving the roadway and striking Kevin Valente. The Scottdale teen died from his injuries, authorities said.
Police originally said the driver involved stayed on the scene and was cooperating with investigators. Authorities said after reconstructing the crash, police moved forward with warrants.
Community: There's a speeding problem
Valente's death happened just hours after three other pedestrians were hit.
On Nov. 6, a pedestrian was struck on a sidewalk and a driveway on Candler Street around 8:20 a.m. Later that afternoon, just before 2 p.m., another person was hit at the intersection of West Ponce De Leon and West Trinity Place. Police were called to the third incident an hour later on Sycamore Street and East Ponce de Leon Avenue before called to respond to Valente's death.
Neighbors have formed Calm Decatur and are now calling for a petition to slow drivers down.
“It’s our worst nightmare. It’s the things we’ve been warning the city of,” said April Biagioni, a member of Calm Decatur pushing for pedestrian safety, about Valente's passing. “It’s tragic. It’s a devastating loss to this community and his family."
The City of Decatur said driver behavior and awareness are major components that must be addressed. City officials also added that there are projects in the works to make the streets safer, including a design stage where Valente was hit.