Hit and run suspect arrested

Malynda Fulton
The Valdosta Daily Times

TWIN LAKES Sat, May 17 2008

— A Lowndes County woman, suspected of involvement in a hit and run last Thursday, has been arrested.
After an investigation into the accident, which injured a teenager waiting for a school bus, authorities took Mikel Jade Mead, 24, into custody for hitting the teenager and fleeing the scene in a white sport utility vehicle, according to Georgia State Patrol Trooper James Sironen.
Witnesses said that the incident occurred at approximately 7:12 a.m. Thursday morning on Danieli Drive. “It was about a mile east of Burton Street, as the girl, a 16-year-old, was standing on the side of the road waiting for the school bus,” Sironen said, recalling witness accounts. “A truck was heading east on Danieli, and crossed into the westbound lane while still traveling east. The pedestrian was standing on the north shoulder of the road and the vehicle’s left mirror hit the pedestrian.”
Shortly after emergency services were called to the scene, the student was transported to the hospital for injuries sustained during the incident.
“It knocked out one of her teeth, and we’re not sure if her foot was broken, but they performed an x-ray that will determine if it is or not,” said Sironen.
Witnesses were unable to provide specific information about the driver, but they did identify the vehicle.
“After hitting the teenager, the vehicle initially stopped for just a second and then left without giving any information,” said Sironen. “Witnesses recalled a white SUV, but were unable to identify the driver’s race or whether the drive was male or female.”
Upon following up on leads, authorities discovered that Mead’s SUV matched the description of the vehicle involved in the accident. Mead was taken into custody over the weekend and has been charged with weaving over a road and duty to stop at the scene of an accident, according to Lowndes County Sheriff Capt. J. D. Yeager. Both of the charges are misdemeanors. The suspect is currently out on bond.

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