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November 6, 2009

Driver charged with hit-and-run

Mark Millican

A man was arrested Friday in connection with what was initially thought to be a female pedestrian being struck by a car on Emery Street near McBride Street, authorities said.

Jesus Salazar Guerrero, of 622 Fifth Ave. in Dalton, was charged by the Dalton Police Department with hit-and-run, failure to render aid and reckless conduct. The woman, 21-year-old Amanda Dawn Hernandez of 612 Stone St. in Dalton, was taken to Hamilton Medical Center where she was in “fair” condition Friday afternoon, a spokeswoman said.

“We’re not 100 percent sure she was hit by a car,” said spokesman Bruce Frazier for the traffic and crime scene units of the police department. “She may have jumped out of the car. Anything that happens with a vehicle that causes injury is considered an accident according to Georgia statute. If you do not stop and render aid, you will be charged with hit-and-run.”

Officers went to the scene after receiving a call from Whitfield 911 at 6:24 a.m. that a woman was lying injured in Emery Street.

“A witness reported seeing a red four-door car leaving the scene with the rear driver’s side door open,” Frazier said. “After speaking to friends of the victim, detectives contacted Mr. Guerrero who told them he was driving Ms. Hernandez in his car when she jumped out of the moving vehicle. It is not clear if Ms. Hernandez’s injuries were caused by jumping out of the car or by being hit by a vehicle.”

Frazier said the incident is still under investigation. Guerrero was in custody but still had not been booked into the jail late Friday afternoon, a spokeswoman said.

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