A Hephzibah man was arrested Tuesday in a fatal hit-and-run accident that killed a man on his moped last month.
Michael Lafayette Kelley, Jr. 35, was located and arrested at 5:35 p.m. Tuesday following a coordinated effort between the RCSO Traffic Division, Special Operations, and the U.S. Marshals Task Force. Two RCSO Criminal Investigations Division (CID) investigators are also part of the federal task force.
The fatal accident occurred on the evening of Jan. 26 when Duane Rutledge was struck by a vehicle while riding a moped on 13th Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard. The suspect fled the scene after the collision, and deputies were called to investigate the death of the 65-year-old victim.
Sheriff Eugene Brantley expressed confidence in the investigation, saying, “Thanks to the hard work of our deputies, investigators, and federal partners, we were able to identify and apprehend the suspect responsible for this tragic crime.”
He added, “We hope that this arrest brings some level of comfort to Mr. Rutledge’s family as they continue to grieve their loss. Justice will now take its course.”
Kelley remains in custody, and the investigation into the fatal collision continues.
