Georgia · Rockdale County · Arrest made
Conyers GA Hit-and-Run Accident: Andrea Cantrell Killed, Derrick Mathis Arrested
A woman was struck and killed on Dogwood Drive early Monday. Conyers police say the driver was traced through license plate cameras and taken into custody at a motel on Tuesday morning.
Key facts
- What
- A woman was struck by a vehicle and killed — the Conyers Police Department describes it as a hit-and-run
- Where
- Dogwood Drive, Conyers, Rockdale County
- When
- Early Monday, Aug. 17
- Killed
- Andrea Cantrell, 43
- Arrested
- Derrick Lydell Mathis, 52, of Oxford — at a Conyers motel, Tuesday morning
- Charge
- Homicide by vehicle
- Investigating
- Georgia State Patrol, lead agency; Conyers police assisting
- Status
- Charged, not convicted
What happened in the Conyers hit-and-run accident?
The driver accused of striking and killing a woman with his car in Conyers is in custody, the Conyers Police Department announced Tuesday morning, WSB-TV reported.
The woman who died was Andrea Cantrell, 43. Police said she was killed in an accident early Monday on Dogwood Drive, according to Atlanta News First. Conyers police describe the case as a hit-and-run.
WSB-TV reported that Derrick Lydell Mathis, 52, of Oxford, is accused of hitting Cantrell with his vehicle and now faces a charge of homicide by vehicle.
Mathis is charged, not convicted. He has not been tried, and he is presumed innocent unless a court finds otherwise.
How did officers find the vehicle and the driver?
Conyers officers worked with the Georgia State Patrol to identify both the car and the driver, and WSB-TV reported that surveillance footage was part of that work.
The department then turned to Flock license plate reader cameras, which led investigators to the vehicle at a home on Harvel Street in Conyers, both WSB-TV and Atlanta News First reported.
Officers obtained warrants, and Mathis was taken into custody without incident at a Conyers motel on Tuesday morning, WSB-TV reported.
“The timely access to vehicle information significantly enhanced the investigative response and contributed to the identification of a suspect and an arrest within 12 hours of the initial call,” Conyers Police Chief R. Scott Freeman said in a statement reported by WSB-TV.
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Where did the accident happen?
On Dogwood Drive in Conyers, Atlanta News First reported. Conyers is the seat of Rockdale County, east of Atlanta.
What does “charged” mean at this stage?
It means an officer or a court has formally accused Mathis of an offense. It does not mean a court has decided anything about it.
He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty, and the homicide by vehicle charge reported by WSB-TV is an accusation rather than a finding.
Which agency is leading the investigation?
Georgia State Patrol. Police said troopers remain the lead agency on the case and that Conyers officers will assist as needed, WSB-TV reported.
What we don't know yet
- How the chief's "within 12 hours" figure squares with an accident early Monday and an arrest Tuesday morning — police have not explained the gap.
- What time on Monday the accident was reported, and when Cantrell was pronounced dead
- What Cantrell was doing on Dogwood Drive when she was struck
- Whether the vehicle was seized, and what make and model it is
- Whether Mathis has an attorney, a first appearance date or a bond amount
- Whether anyone else was in the car at the time
- Whether troopers expect any further counts beyond the one announced
How do I get the accident report?
Police said Georgia State Patrol is the lead agency, WSB-TV reported. Reports on GSP-led investigations are held by the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
Frequently asked questions
Who was killed in the Conyers hit-and-run accident?
Andrea Cantrell, 43. Police said she was killed in an accident early Monday on Dogwood Drive in Conyers, according to Atlanta News First.
Who has been arrested?
Derrick Lydell Mathis, 52, of Oxford. WSB-TV reported that the Conyers Police Department announced the arrest Tuesday morning.
Has Derrick Mathis been convicted of anything?
No. He is charged, not convicted, and is presumed innocent unless a court finds otherwise.
What is the charge?
Homicide by vehicle, WSB-TV reported.
Where and when was Mathis arrested?
At a Conyers motel on Tuesday morning, and the arrest was made without incident, WSB-TV reported. Warrants had been obtained first.
How did officers identify the vehicle and the driver?
Conyers police worked with Georgia State Patrol and used surveillance footage, WSB-TV reported. Officers then used Flock license plate reader cameras to trace the vehicle to a home on Harvel Street in Conyers.
Where did the accident happen?
On Dogwood Drive in Conyers, according to Atlanta News First. Conyers is the seat of Rockdale County.
Is the case being called a hit-and-run?
Yes. The Conyers Police Department describes it as a hit-and-run, Atlanta News First reported.
Which agency is leading the investigation?
Georgia State Patrol. Police said troopers remain the lead agency and Conyers officers will assist as needed, WSB-TV reported.
Who is the Conyers police chief?
R. Scott Freeman. He issued a statement about the arrest, WSB-TV reported.
How do I get the accident report?
Georgia State Patrol is the lead agency, so the report is held by the Georgia Department of Public Safety rather than by the city of Conyers or Rockdale County.
Sources
Compiled by The Local Alert Georgia Staff from the named news outlets linked above. The Local Alert is not a law enforcement agency and not a law firm. Anyone named in connection with a crime is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Corrections and removal requests: see our corrections policy.
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