By Joe Johnson
Athens-Clarke County police are searching for the vehicle that struck and killed a University of Georgia student and then left the scene early Sunday morning.
Knox Whiten, 21, of Toccoa, reportedly was walking in a travel lane of the Athens Perimeter near North Chase Street when he was struck.
According to police Public Information Officer Lt. Shaun Barnett, police received a 911 call about someone walking on the highway at bout 1:53 a.m., but by the time officers arrived in the area, Whiten had already been fatally struck from behind while walking in the highway's right lane of the highway's outer loop.
According to Barnett, officers were unable to locate any debris that might indicate the make, model or color of the vehicle.
"However, officers from the Traffic Unit will continue to search the area for any relevant debris that may have been left," he said.
Police asked for anyone who might have witnessed the incident or has knowledge about it to contact Officer First Class James Trotter at james.trotter@accgov.com or (762) 400-7326; or Lt. Jonathan McIlvanie at jonathan.mcilvaine@accgov.com or (762) 400-7089. Anonymous tips can be made by calling the Crime Stoppers confidential tip line at (706) 705-4775.