On Saturday, Feb. 15, at 10:15 p.m., officers with the Athens Police Department responded to the area of US Highway 72 and French Farms Boulevard near Walmart Supercenter at 10:15 p.m., Feb. 15, , for a vehicle versus pedestrian crash, according to a release from the Athens Police Department.  

When officers arrived on the scene they found a deceased male, later identified as 38-year-old Jesse Lee Turner of Athens, located in the roadway of US Highway 72. The involved driver who struck Turner fled the scene after the collision.

Detectives with the Athens Police Department began an investigation into the case which included; collecting evidence from the scene, reviewing nearby surveillance footage provided by local businesses and following up on vital tips which were reported by members of the public.  

By Monday, Feb. 17, APD detectives were able to determine the exact vehicle involved in the fatal crash — and identifying the known driver of the vehicle as well. 

The vehicle was then located and recovered in the Hazel Green area. The driver, 38-year-old Athens woman, was located later that same night and brought in for questioning. 

Following the interview, the woman was arrested for Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving an Injury/Death. She has been released, following her posting a $5,000 bond.