Local

79-year-old faces felony after hit-and-run

LILBURN, Ga. — Lilburn police charged an elderly man with a felony after they said he fled the scene of an accident, and ran someone over in the process.

That driver told Channel 2’s Kerry Kavanaugh he had no idea he hit anyone.

"My girlfriend had been taken to the hospital in an ambulance and I didn't know what was wrong,” said Lilburn resident Edward Smith.

The 79-year-old said he was on the way to the hospital when he accidentally rolled his pick up into the car in front of  him.

Police said the two vehicles pulled into a parking lot along Lawrenceville Highway.

"So I give them a hundred dollar bill. I said that should cover the damages," Smith said.

But the people in the other car wanted to call police. Smith said he took his money back and took off.

"I just backed my truck up and the officer said that I hit a girl. But I didn't know that I did because I didn't feel it,” Smith said. "They charged me with an outrageous charge."

"He may have been afraid when he realized that he struck this lady and left the scene."

Nonetheless, Lilburn Police Department Capt. Ben Haynes said Smith's actions led to the charges of aggravated assault, a felony, hit and run and failure to maintain lane.

Smith insists he didn't know he hit anyone, but admits he was wrong for leaving the scene.

We tried, but could not reach the victim in this case. Police said she had minor injuries.

Smith said he will fight the charges, but he does have a message for the injured woman.

“I didn't realize I'd bumped into to you. If I did I'm sorry. And if I knew I had  bumped into you, I would have went no where," he said.

Smith bonded out of jail after one night and he is now awaiting his next court date. Police said even if there are mitigating circumstances, they have a job to do.

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