By Joe Johnson
Athens-Clarke County police on Thursday continued to search for the vehicle that struck and killed a man the day before on North Avenue.
According to police, 66-year-old Stephen James Pugh was walking on a sidewalk at about 3:45 p.m. when a silver SUV jumped the curb and fatally struck the pedestrian and drove away from the scene.
“Officers searched the area and located an occupied silver Jeep that was potentially involved,” said Lt. Shaun Barnett, ACCPD’s public information officer.
“The vehicle was located on Third Street,” he said. “Contact was not made with the owner and/or driver. This vehicle has not been confirmed as being involved; however, it is a vehicle of interest.”
Athens-Clarke County Coroner Sonny Wilson said he was unable to find any next of kin to notify them of the homeless man’s death.
He said that both of Pugh’s parents, who had lived in Brunswick, are deceased.
The coroner said he did not know where Pugh stayed in Athens, but a person who knew him said he lived in the area of Carr's Hill and often interacted with members of the Oconee Street United Methodist Church.