North Georgia mother of 7 hit, killed by hit-and-run driver as she walked home from store

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Newton County mother of seven was killed by a hit-and-run driver Monday night, police say.

The crash happened on Highway 36 in Covington near Bethel Bara Baptist Church.

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Deanna Matthews Grimes, 44, was walking home from the store when a car hit her and kept going.

Channel 2′s Tom Regan was in Newton County, where Grimes ’ family has set up a memorial near the spot where she died. The family said the driver likely lost control and veered off the highway. They’re hoping that someone will step forward to help find the driver.

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Margie Love, Grimes’ lifelong friend, described her as kind, loving and generous to everyone.

“She was one of the best people I knew,” Love said. “Whoever did this should have stopped. It may have saved a life.”

Her brother, Robert Grimes’, said getting that call was one of the worst a family could get.

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“She was a funny, laid-back girl. She liked friends and family, hanging out with people,” Grimes said. “Someone need to come forward and let me know who done it. I am not going to stop until I find justice.”

Family friend Randall Whitley said it’s not the first time someone has been killed on the road.

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver.

Based on a car part found at the scene, they believe the vehicle involved was a Ford and has damage to the front end and side passenger panel.

The family has set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for Grimes‘ funeral expenses. She leaves behind seven children, two grandchildren and a nephew.

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