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24-year-old Sandy Springs woman killed by hit-and-run driver

By and FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
Updated  October 2, 2024 6:21pm EDT
Sandy Springs
FOX 5 Atlanta

Grieving mom begs hit-and-run driver to turn self in

Mecha Woodard's mom is begging the hit-and-run driver who killed her 24-year-old daughter to turn themselves in.

In brief:

    • 24-year-old Mecha Woodard killed in hit-and-run during a storm on State Route 316.
    • Suspect vehicle is a damaged 2019-2022 Lexus RX350 or RX450.
    • Mother appeals for information; police urge witnesses to come forward.
    • Storm conditions at the accident time hindered visibility.
    • Tips leading to an arrest may receive a cash reward from Crime Stoppers.

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. - Mecha Woodard's life came to a tragic end along State Route 316 in Lawrenceville last week. The 24-year-old was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver at around 4 a.m. during the storm last Friday.

The Sandy Springs woman pulled her vehicle over and began walking in the gore zone between State Route 316 and the entrance ramp from Boggs Road when she was struck by a vehicle. 

Woodard's mother Shelly Xiong spoke to reporters at Gwinnett County Police Headquarters on Wednesday. She urged the driver to come forward.

"Please, if anybody has any information or knows anything, please, I'm begging you to please call the police. Help me find the person that is responsible for my daughter's death," said Xiong. 

Mecha Woodard

Investigators collected vehicle parts from the scene. They determined that the suspect vehicle is a 2019-2022 Lexus RX350 or Lexus RX 450. The SUV suffered damage to the front passenger-side bumper and headlight. 

"It's going to be obvious to this person that they struck something that night. I can't say to whether or not, what that person knew that they struck or what they saw, because at the point in time when the accident occurred was one of the heaviest points in time for the storm." Cpl. Collin Flynn explained. "So, it would have been raining and the storm conditions would have been very bad at that point in time." 

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Gwinnett County Police detectives at 678-442-5653. Those who wish to remain anonymous can submit tips to Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477 or through www.stopcrimeATL.com. Tipsters could receive a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest and indictment in the case.

Source

  • Press release from the Sandy Springs Police Department