Tony Kuykendall and his 14-year-old son Oscar Ortiz were walking on Old Concord road in Smyrna, toward the Publix Supermarket, on Saturday night February 5, 2011.  According to Oscar, a car came from behind, without visible headlights, hit his father and kept driving.  Oscar called 911 for help.  Only one passerby stopped and offered to assist the father and son before the authorities arrived.

Emergency personnel took Mr. Kuykendall to Kennestone Hospital where he died.  Tony Kuykendall was the father of four children.  His son Oscar was not injured.

The driver who hit Mr. Kuykendall turned himself into authorities on Monday February 7, and he has been arrested and charged in connection with this fatal hit-and-run.  He has been identified as 31-year-old Jeffery Brookshire of Marietta.  Mr. Brookshire told police that he remembered hitting something on the night of the accident, but has provided no reason for why he failed to stop after the crash.  According to media reports, Mr. Brookshire has a history of driving offenses.

We extend our condolences to the children, relatives, and friends of Tony Kuykendall following this tragic Georgia hit and run accident.