Accused Fatal Hit-And-Run Driver Charged In Athens

ATHENS, GA — A 21-year-old Lilburn man accused in a fatal hit-and-run crash in Athens is now facing charges, police said Tuesday.

An Athens-Clarke County police officer located at West Broad Street heard a crash around 3:45 a.m. near a church in the area, police said.

When the officer arrived to the scene, they found a pedestrian unresponsive in the road, police said.

Police identified the pedestrian as 34-year-old Michael Kitchen, of Madison. Kitchen was taken to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries, police said.

Police located the suspected driver in the crash, who they identified as Benhur Tesfai. Police said Tesfai was charged on suspicion of driving under the influence, first-degree vehicular homicide and hit and run.

Clarke County Jail records show Tesfai received a $1,500 bond on the DUI charge but is being held without bond for the remaining charges. He remained incarcerated as of early Tuesday afternoon, jail records show.