Investigators identify suspect in fatal hit-and-run of man and dog

STATHAM, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - Barrow County investigators publicly identified a woman Thursday as the suspect in a fatal hit and run accident that killed a man who was walking his dog.

The Barrow County Sheriff's Office announced they have active warrants against Sandy Wilson, 42, of Winder, on charges of 1st degree vehicular homicide, felony hit and run, reckless driving, failure to report an accident, too fast for conditions, failure to maintain lane, wrong side of the road, and cruelty to animals.

The charges come after the death of 66-year-old Marvin Barnes Monday morning, who died when a car struck him as he walked his dog along a stretch of Jefferson Road.

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The collision killed both Barnes and his dog.

On Monday afternoon, deputies found a Silver Infiniti G37 that they suspect was the hit and run vehicle abandoned behind a house about a mile from the crime scene.

Investigators tracked down the car owner who was already in jail in Walton County.

After the discovery of the vehicle, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith told FOX 5’s Deidra Dukes, “Mr. Barnes was just walking his dog in his yard minding his own business and gets struck and this person walks away and doesn’t stop so we are going to find this person I can tell you that.”

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Recovering the vehicle was a big break for detectives who have also collected surveillance video and other evidence the sheriff is confident will lead them to the suspect.

“The owner of the home cooperated with us. We did a search warrant on the house, search warrant on the car and have processed that since. We are hoping pieces of evidence from that car can help us trace back who was there,” said Sheriff Smith.

The Barrow County Sheriff's Office would appreciate any assistance with any information leading to the location of Wilson. The caller can remain anonymous if requested.