DeKalb County

Police search for rental truck driver in deadly hit-and-run

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Police say they are searching for the person who was behind the wheel of a rental truck that hit and killed a father.

Police said on Dec. 30, Derek Adams, 27, was on his motorcycle when a Budget rental truck turned left in front of him and hit him on Warren Road in DeKalb County.

According to police, the driver did not stop and instead ran over Adams before speeding away.

Adams’ friend said he was following behind him on their way out for the night.

“There was lots of sparks flying from the collision. I could see the truck after it hit the motorcycle and it was bopping up and down,” David Saintiague said.

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He said he watched the truck speed away and helplessly stayed by his friend’s side.

“You can’t leave somebody in that situation by themselves,” he said.

Police have not made any arrests in the case.

Family members said they were hopeful that it would be easy to track down the damaged truck within a big company like Budget.

“He ran over a motorcycle and a person. There is some evidence there of what you did,” Saintiague said.

The victim’s family said they need help from the public in the case.

“(I hope) that the public that might have witnessed it or have seen a damaged Budget truck somewhere would come and tell the police what they saw,” Adams’ mother, Sarah Davis, said.

“He has a 3-year-old son. We need to find the driver and get him to turn himself in and make it right,” Saintiague said.

Police said they have spoken to Budget and the company is cooperating.

The victim’s family said they have hired an attorney and their own private investigator.

“At some point the driver has to turn it back it. The impact was significant enough that there has to be front-end damage, if not more,” attorney Evan Kaine said.

There is a CrimeStoppers reward for information in the case. You can call them at 404-577-8477 and remain anonymous. The family is also offering an additional reward.