DeKalb Driver Who Hit, Killed Girl, Then Fled Found Guilty: DA

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — A man who hit and killed a 12-year-old girl and her dog in DeKalb County was found guilty last Thursday, according to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office.

The fatal accident occurred around 10 p.m. on Nov. 11, 2020, police said. The girl, identified as Amiah Kenney, was in her mother’s car with her dog Noah on the Peachtree Industrial Boulevard access road in Dunwoody, police said.

Earlier in the evening, the victim’s mother received a call from a family member whose car had broken down and needed a ride, the release stated. The victim, her dog, her mother and her mother’s partner got into their car and went to look for the family member. They located her on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and pulled close to her disabled vehicle.

As the group was waiting for the stranded family member to gather her belongings, a motorist driving a Range Rover SUV slammed into the car they were waiting in from behind. The force of the crash pushed the car and the Range Rover into the southbound lanes of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, police said. Young Amiah and her dog Noah both died as a result of injuries sustained during the crash.

Investigators said that 43-year-old Eric Rodriguez got out the Range Rover following the crash to assess the damage. He then tried to drive away, but the vehicle wouldn’t move. He got out again and ripped the paper tag off of the back of the Range Rover, and ran away on foot, police said.

His unique appearance, which included tattoos on his face and chest, led to his identification via video surveillance following an altercation at a local bar a few days later. Law enforcement also determined that the Range Rover involved in the fatal crash was registered to Rodriguez, tying him to the crime.

Rodriguez will be sentenced at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 4 by DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Gregory A. Adams. He faces 18 years in prison.

He was found guilty on charges of vehicular homicide 1st degree (2), hit & run, reckless driving, driving without a valid license, tampering with evidence and no Insurance in connection with the death of Amiah and her dog Noah, according to the release.