HART COUNTY, GA. - The Hart County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are currently investigating a hit and run death that occurred Saturday, September 24, 2011 at approximately 11:20 pm. at Dad’s Restaurant located at 5061 Whitworth Road just off I-85 in Lavonia, Hart County, Georgia. Maehalalea Beth Baxter, 43, of Mount Airy, Georgia, died of severe trauma as a result of being struck by a tractor trailer.

Investigators are currently looking for a blue Kenworth Tractor with a sleeper that was pulling a white or silver refrigerated trailer.

Witnesses indicated that the tractor had the words “good” and “N. C.” on the outside of the tractor by the sleeper.

The driver was described as a white male, early-mid 30’s, with short, dark-colored hair.

The tractor trailer was last seen traveling northbound on Interstate 85 toward South Carolina. Investigators are unsure if the driver of the tractor trailer is aware that this incident resulted in a fatality.

Anyone in the area at the time or anyone who owns a trucking company with trucks in this area on September 24, is asked to contact the Hart County Sheriff’s Office at 706-376-3114 or the Georgia Bureau Of Investigation tip line at 1-800-597-8477.   It is possible the driver was late making his delivery and/or there was damage to the trailer.

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Contact Information:

John Bankhead - 404-270-8330

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