Gwinnett County

Elderly woman killed in hit-and-run ID'd, police searching for U-Haul

By Rikki Klaus
By Rikki Klaus

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A search has been launched for a U-Haul with distinct features. Lawrenceville police said the truck killed an elderly woman in a hit-and-run Monday afternoon.

The crash happened at Daniel Lane and Johnson Road. The woman, identified as 79-year-old Tran Hong, was not the only person killed at the location.

A man was killed in a motorcycle accident in the same spot nearly two years ago this month.

A neighbor told Channel 2 Action News it is a wonder more people are not hurt there. He called Johnson Road a drag strip.

Police are investigating whether speed was a factor in the hit-and-run that killed Hong.

“That’s not even human, to leave somebody," neighbor Ron Spears said.

Spears said he heard a "boom" outside his Lawrenceville home before he ran to help.

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"I checked her pulse, and she was deceased, and I covered her up," Spears said.

Spears said he laid a blanket from his home on top of Hong. The veteran said it reminded him of war.

Lawrenceville police Sgt. Chris Ralston said around 3:45 p.m., a small U-Haul was driven off the pavement near Daniel Lane.

"And then got back on the roadway and continued on," Ralston said.

Spears is sad for the Lawrenceville woman's grieving family. He said he saw Hong twice a day during her walks.

"Everybody down through here knows her, and she waves, and we wave," Spears said.

Investigators emphasized they want the public to be on the lookout. They said the driver was a man and the U-Haul is now missing portions of the right front headlight and corner light.

Spears said he wishes he could find that driver himself.

"I mean, would you leave your kid or your wife in the middle of the road? I wouldn't." Spears said.

Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is urged to call 770-339-2412.

Cox Media Group

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