A teenager’s death in Georgia is currently under investigation after the teen was killed in a hit-and-run accident while trying to rescue an injured dog.
On Saturday in Valdosta, Georgia, Samuel Johnson, Jr. spotted a dog that had been injured on the street. As he went to help the dog, he was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene.
The Valdosta Police Department said that the teen was 16-years old and he was lying on the ground when a person traveling in the vicinity found him.
“The woman initially approached the scene after only spotting a deceased dog on the street and she found another injured dog next to Johnson,” the Valdosta Police Department said.
The car that struck Johnson was identified as a dark-colored Dodge Charger with damage on the driver’s side front bumper, Valdosta Police said.
The car was located and taken into custody on Monday, the department announced.
It wasn’t clear in the report if the owner or driver of the vehicle has also been identified by authorities.
Johnson, who was a high school football player, is being mourned by the community, according to tributes shared online.
The Valdosta Wildcats, the high school football team Johnson played for, said they are “heartbroken and devastated” in an Instagram post on Monday.
“Sam was like a brother to me he was my right hand man whenever I needed something he would be there for me,” one person wrote on his obituary page.
The Valdosta police say an investigation is ongoing and declined to comment any further.
Johnson will be honored at a memorial service at Perimeter Road Baptist Church Sunday afternoon. He will be buried in a cemetery in Lowndes County.
If anyone has any information, please contact the Valdosta Police Department Bureau of Investigative Services at 229-293-3145, the crime tip line at 229-293-3091, or file a tip online at www.valdostacity.com/police-department.
