23-year-old Johns Creek man killed in hit and run, police search for driver

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. - Police are searching for the driver who struck a man on the side of McGinnis Ferry Road on Wednesday evening.

It happened in the eastbound lanes just before the bridge at the Chattahoochee River. Johns Creek police said 23-year-old Richard Bartlett III had gotten out of his vehicle to secure a mattress and box spring that was tied to the top of his vehicle around 9:30 p.m. when he was struck by a passing vehicle.

"When he crossed the road to secure it. After he secured it he went back around to the driver’s side of the door to speak with the driver. At that point a vehicle approaching from the rear swerved slightly striking the back of the vehicle hitting the pedestrian hitting and killing him," Johns Creek Police Captain Todd Hood said. 

The man died as a result of his injuries.

Police said the driver of the car then did something unexpected.

"The vehicle turned around on the roadway and come back to the scene. I’m guessing the driver saw what he or she had hit and then fled the scene into Gwinnett County," Hood said. 

Police said the car is dark in color or a black 4-door sedan, possibly a BMW. It will have damage to the front-right bumper and hood area, front windshield damage, and minor damage to the passenger side doors.

"We don’t know why they fled the scene at this point. We don’t know what the charges would have been if they had stopped but because they didn’t stop they have a felony hit and run and a vehicular homicide so now they are very serious," Hood said. 

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call the Johns Creek Police Department at 470-774-3358.

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