MACON, Ga. — The Bibb Sheriff's Office is still looking for the person and car accused of hitting and killing a man in Macon. James Collins was struck overnight Thursday.
Rufus Neely has lived near the intersection of Irwinton Road and Hitchock Road for four years. He said he wasn't surprised that someone was killed trying to get across the highway because there are not enough crosswalks.
"Yeah these the only ones I've seen just these four here where you cross at, that's it. I haven't seen anymore no where down the street or anything…yeah this is it," Neely said.
One man, Andrew Reaves, said he was walking early Thursday morning when he saw Collins' body hanging out of the sewer.
Neely said at night there aren't enough lights and when he walks his dog he's walking on grass.
"Well I think sidewalks would help you know there's no sidewalks, so I know that will help," Neely said.
Macon-Bibb Commissioner Elaine Lucas said they can make all the changes, but people in the streets and behind the wheel have their own responsibility.
"We can only put the lights in, so many lights, so many sidewalks, upright the streets, do all these things, but we've got to have the citizens who are kingly aware of safety measures as well," Lucas said.
A Georgia State Patrol trooper out policing speeders confirmed he's seen people fly through the intersection. Neely said just about every type of vehicle comes through the area daily.
"A lot of 18-wheelers come by every day. Log trucks, 18 wheelers, everything comes through, so it's very dangerous you know you have to be extra careful," Neely said.
Cpt. Wilton Collins works in the patrol division at the sheriff's office. He said they don't respond to that East Macon area often but asks pedestrians to protect themselves.
"A driver driving at one or two in the morning and someone in dark clothing is very hard to see. We do our best to help, but please help us help you," Wilton said.
The sheriff's office is using this flock camera half a mile away from the intersection in their investigation, but it's the only one in the area because the sheriff's office said it's a low-crime area.
"We are in the first phase of strategically placing these cameras. We did that based on crime analysis. Where crime happens the most, that's where the cameras went," Wilton said.
People in the neighborhood recently celebrated James' 60th birthday. They describe him as a sweet man who was appreciated by many people.
If you have information about the hit and run you can call Macon Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.