Crime

Columbus police charge suspect in hit-and-run that killed child, injured another

CPD has identified this vehicle as part of the hit-and-run wreck that left one child dead and another in serious condition.
CPD has identified this vehicle as part of the hit-and-run wreck that left one child dead and another in serious condition. Courtesy CPD

Columbus police have charged a man in Thursday’s hit-and-run crash that left a 13-year-old girl dead and an 11-year-old boy in serious condition.

Deantre Deon Wolfe, 29, surrendered to police Friday afternoon. Investigators said he faces three felony charges related to the accident — first-degree homicide by vehicle; serious Injury by vehicle; and leaving the scene of an accident.

Wolfe also is charged with these misdemeanor counts, police said:

  • No proof of insurance.
  • Suspended registration.
  • Failing to report an accident.
  • No state tag.

Wolfe is to have a preliminary hearing in Columbus Recorder’s Court at 8 a.m. Monday.

The accident

Police said they were called at 8:07 a.m. Thursday to the 4100 block of Steam Mill Road, near Southern Pines Drive, where they found both children had been hit by a vehicle.

Both were students at Rothschild Middle School, authorities said. The boy was flown to a hospital in Atlanta for treatment. The girl died at the scene.

Investigators later identified the vehicle involved as a light silver or gold Toyota Tacoma, a pickup truck, and on Friday asked the public’s help finding the driver.

Anyone with information on the case may contact police Cpl. Roz Hall at 706-225-4040.

This story was originally published October 8, 2022 at 1:18 PM.

Tim Chitwood
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Tim Chitwood is from Seale, Alabama, and started as a police beat reporter with the Ledger-Enquirer in 1982. He since has covered Columbus’ serial killings and other homicides, following some from the scene of the crime to trial verdicts and ensuing appeals. He also has been a Ledger-Enquirer humor columnist since 1987. He’s a graduate of Auburn University, and started out working for the weekly Phenix Citizen in Phenix City, Ala.
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