ELLIJAY, Ga. — The mother of a toddler who was killed in a hit-and-run over the weekend is speaking out.
The Gilmer County coroner confirmed that 18-month-old Noah Pinson, died on Sunday at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Scottish Rite.
"I'm hurt. I'm just mad. Jordan's taken away from me something I can never get back," Noah’s mother, Heather Pinson told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh.
Investigators said the incident happened around 9 p.m. Friday at the Gilmer County River Park parking lot. According to the boy’s father, he was taking his toddler out of a stroller and into his van when a Ford Fusion drove quickly past, striking the boy.
“He heard the tires squealing and heard a big bump," Pinson said.
The father reportedly picked up the child and took him immediately to the hospital. Noah's parents were by his side when he died.
"[I told him] that I loved him, that he didn't know how much he meant to me," said Pinson of Noah's final moments.
The father reported that the Fusion that ran over Noah had a “drive out tag” and he did not know nor could he identify the driver, but Noah's 5-year-old sister witnessed the whole thing.
"My daughter was the one who gave the description good enough to get him. And, she seen it happen," said Pinson. "I'm very proud of her."
Ellijay police requested the assistance of the Georgia State Patrol SCRT team, and with their assistance the driver of the vehicle was located in Waleska. The Cherokee Sheriff's Office arrested the driver and he was transported to the Gilmer Detention Center.
The driver was identified as 26-year-old Jordan Allen Hyde of Talking Rock, Georgia. He was arrested on Saturday in Cherokee County. Police say he was under the influence of drugs when he ran over the toddler in the parking lot.
Hyde was initially being held on two charges, leaving the scene of an accident/hit and run and serious injury by vehicle, on which he bonded out, but those have been upgraded to vehicular homicide, DUI and leaving the scene of an accident. He was arrested again Sunday night and is being held on no bond.
"Just the fact that he didn't stop, and him admitting that he knows that he ran over my son.. that's the part that kills me," Pinson said, adding that she knows the accused driver and believed this was a tragic accident.
Police say they are investigating to see if there is anything more to the relationship between the parents and the suspect.