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UPDATE: On March 14, 2025, Jacob Lawson turned himself into the Troup County Jail related to this investigation and was charged with the charges listed below. This case is cleared by arrest.

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LaGrange Police have identified a suspect in the fatal hit-and-run pedestrian collision that occurred on East Depot Street on the night of Feb. 22.

Jacob Lashawn Lawson has since been identified by police as the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed David Allen Haney, and left the scene of the collision.

After an investigation by the LPD Department Traffic Division, warrants were issued for Lawson’s arrest for vehicular homicide but he has not been located.

Police began investigating the incident when officers were called to the intersection of East Depot Street and Rome Avenue around 11:06 p.m. that night about a subject struck by a vehicle. 

When they arrived, officers were able to locate the victim who was on East Depot Street and he was unresponsive. 

Police later learned that the suspect driver had fled the scene without rendering aid to the pedestrian. Another pedestrian, an undisclosed female, was also reportedly involved in the accident.

While the driver is being charged with several crimes from the incident, police say the deceased victim was not without fault. According to police, the victim had been walking down the middle of the road in darkness pushing a trash container in an area where a sidewalk was available.

Police Chief Garrett Fiveash said that if the driver had not fled the scene, he may not have been charged with homicide unless he was driving under the influence.

“We can’t know if he was or wasn’t drunk because he fled the scene,” Fiveash said.

Fiveash explained that, unlike many states, pedestrians are not afforded the right of way in the roadway unless they are in a crosswalk.

Under Georgia law, “Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway unless he has already, and under safe conditions, entered the roadway.”

Had the victim survived, he potentially would have been charged with Pedestrian in the Roadway.

That doesn’t give the driver permission to leave the scene though. It also doesn’t mean drivers shouldn’t exercise due care around pedestrians even if they are in the roadway, Fiveash said.

Police are still looking for Lawson who is currently at large. 

Warrants were issued for Lawson’s arrest for first-degree homicide by vehicle, felony leaving the scene of an accident, driving too fast for conditions, expired tag, incorrect information of driver’s license, tag requirements and windshield requirements.

If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Jacob Lawson, please contact the LaGrange Police Department at (706) 883-2603. Information can also be shared anonymously through Troup County CrimeStoppers at (706) 812-1000.