Tragic Hit-and-Run in Newton County Claims Life of 15-Year-Old Boy
NEWTON COUNTY, GA — A quiet night in Newton County was shattered by tragedy when a 15-year-old boy from Covington was struck and killed in a hit-and-run accident late Monday, June 2, 2025. The fatal incident occurred just south of Hummingbird Lane on Highway 36, a stretch of road that has now become the focus of an urgent investigation by local authorities.
According to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the scene at approximately 10:30 p.m. following a report of a pedestrian lying in the roadway. Upon arrival, law enforcement and emergency personnel discovered the teenage victim unresponsive and suffering from traumatic injuries. Despite swift response, the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim’s identity has not been released publicly at the request of the family, but authorities have confirmed he was a local 15-year-old boy from Covington. News of his death has rippled through the community, stirring both grief and outrage, as neighbors, classmates, and loved ones come to terms with the loss of a young life full of promise.
Investigators have since gathered evidence from the scene and believe the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run is a pearl white car, although the make and model have not yet been determined. The vehicle is likely to have sustained noticeable front-end damage.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information—no matter how minor it may seem—to come forward. Surveillance footage from nearby homes or businesses, eyewitness accounts, or any tips about suspicious vehicles in the area around the time of the incident could prove crucial to the investigation.
“Every moment counts,” said Sgt. Jack Redlinger, who is leading the investigation. “We owe it to this young man, his family, and this community to find out who is responsible. Someone out there knows something, and we’re asking them to do the right thing.”
Those with information are asked to contact Sgt. Redlinger directly at 678-300-7877.
The sheriff’s office is also appealing to the driver involved in the crash to turn themselves in. “Leaving the scene of an accident—especially one involving a fatality—is not only a crime, it’s a moral failure,” said Sheriff Ezell Brown in a statement. “This family deserves answers, and our community deserves justice.”
As the investigation continues, the victim’s family is asking for privacy as they process this unimaginable loss. Plans for a memorial or funeral service have not yet been announced.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by pedestrians on roadways and the irreversible consequences of reckless or negligent driving. Community leaders are urging residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity, and support one another as the search for answers continues.
More information will be released as the investigation develops.