Driver Charged in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Fatality

A Gwinnett County man is facing vehicular homicide charges following a hit-and-run pedestrian accident Thursday night in unincorporated Norcross.

Manuel D. Realejeno, 36, of Duluth, reportedly ran from the scene after striking Sambi Velasquez, 33, who died upon arrival at Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, police said. The incident happened shortly before 8:30 p.m. along the 6000 block of South Norcross Tucker Road.

Officers found Velasquez lying unconscious face-down near the curb with serious injuries. Also at the scene was an abandoned white Ford Econoline van. Witnesses told police they saw the driver running from the scene immediately after the collision.

Officers assigned to the Accident Investigation Unit were dispatched to the scene. During the course of the investigation, the following details were determined, according to police:

The pedestrian was in the process of crossing South Norcross Tucker Road from the west side of the road to the east side. The pedestrian did not use a crosswalk. The driver of the vehicle was traveling north on South Norcross Tucker Road. He was in the center-turn lane preparing to turn left. The driver of the vehicle struck the pedestrian in the roadway. The pedestrian came to rest in front of 6069 South Norcross Tucker Road. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. He did not stop to render aid or call 911.

The lead investigator was able to identify Realejeno as the driver. He has been charged with vehicular homicide, hit-and-run and no driver’s license. He is being held in the Gwinnett County Jail.

Police said this is the second hit-and-run pedestrian fatality in less than a month in the area.

On Oct. 6, Amber Harding was killed while crossing the road on South Norcross Tucker and Graves roads. Hakeem Dure Temple, 25, of Lilburn has been charged in connection with that accident.

The ”don’t walk” sign was illuminated when Harding crossed the road, police said.

“Both of these events may have been avoided with the proper use of a pedestrian crosswalk,” police said in a news release on the incident. “The Gwinnett County Police Department encourages all pedestrians to utilize crosswalks when crossing the street. Please wait until the illuminated sign indicates that it is safe before walking into the roadway.”

Photo: Manuel D. Realejeno; Gwinnett County Jail mug shot