String of pedestrian deaths leaves a trail of broken hearts

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - It’s been a deadly time across Richmond County in of pedestrian deaths – four in the past few days.

Two were killed this past weekend and two were killed in hit-and-runs in the previous weekend.

Hit-and-run cases are among the hardest to solve, according to Chuck Benson with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office’s traffic control division.

Every little detail these officers can get helps.

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And the victims are real people with real faces and real loved ones who are hurting right now.

Broderick Parker, 39, killed Oct. 7, was someone’s brother and friend when he was fatally struck in the 3100 block of Richmond Hill Road.

Joni Mitchell, 38, also killed Oct. 7 while riding a bike at Lumpkin Road and Fleming Drive, was a mother of three.

Shae Carter, Mitchell’s best friend of 25 years, had been through every stage of life with her, from middle school to becoming moms together.

“It took all my breath,” said Carter. “When I got the call, I took a deep breath and I couldn’t let it back out I couldn’t believe it.”

It’s very emotional for Carter because she always thought she and Mitchell were supposed to grow old together and watch their babies have babies.

“We were supposed to grow old together,” said Carter. “We were supposed to be old. We were supposed to watch our kids have all their kids and this, I never in a million years imagined this.”

It only took seconds for a car to hit Mitchell and kill her.

“I’ve been in traffic for two years. And it does appear to be more,” said Sgt. Scott Herring with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety Division. “Especially when you get that many that close together, it just amplifies the problem.”

Since August, we’ve reported seven pedestrian deaths in Richmond County.

“The flock cameras have been very valuable in solving some of the most recent hit-and-run cases that we’ve had,” said Herring.

The tiny cameras are helping to solve a major puzzle.

“We’ll hold on to the evidence we’ll use it and along with the cameras in our database, we’ll put together a driver with the with the hit and run and with the vehicle that committed the hit and run,” said Herring.

The hope with the cameras is to bring more families closure.

“I forgive her, but I will never forget what she did,” said Carter.

As far as catching suspects, there’s been some progress in the cases of Mitchell and Broderick.

Richmond County deputies say they are charging Jasmine Johnson, 29, with leaving the scene.

As authorities progress in the investigation, Mitchell’s family is grieving and keeping her memory alive.

Two days after Parker was killed, authorities arrested Rodriquez Antwan Walker, 44, on charges of homicide by vehicle, felony leaving the scene, reckless driving and central turning lane violations, according to Richmond County jail records.

There hasn’t been as much progress in the more recent pedestrian deaths.

We know 38-year-old Annie Doyle was hit by a vehicle traveling eastbound on the 2000 block of Gordon Highway on Friday night.

Doyle was taken to Wellstar MCG where she was pronounced dead shortly after 8 p.m.

The other pedestrian death happened on Deans Bridge Road at Georgetown Drive when a man was hit by a vehicle.

He was also taken to Wellstar MCG where he was pronounced dead at 10:39 p.m.

We don’t even know his name.

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