MACON, Ga. — Royal Jamal Rhodes' family says they are broken after the 3-year-old died in a hit-and-run on Monday morning.
“I woke up exactly at 3:21am," Jasmine Barnes - Royal's mother - said. "It was like something just told me to get up and I got up, I checked my side, [and] Roy was gone. I went to the door, and the door was barely cracked open."
Royal [Roy] died at the scene. The Bibb County Sheriff's Office says the driver drove away after the collision, and still has not been found.
Barnes says Royal got up from his bed and wandered towards Riverside Drive where he was hit near the Drive Time car dealership and the Cracker Barrel.
Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones pronounced him dead around 5 a.m. on Monday.
Barnes says she is looking for answers after the sudden loss of her child.
“I just want justice for Roy," she said. "I know he's tugging on my leg or my arm right now and saying, 'Mommy, mommy, I’m here, I’m here and I could feel it."
She says Royal was an angel and playful child.
“It was his smile," Barnes said. "I could have a rough day and I would see Roy, and he would just run to me and it was - it was his smile. It was just a smile. The smile made everybody's day."
She says Roy loved playing with his brothers and playing outside.
Barnes says she will be okay because of him, and he made her want to be a better mother.
“I love my baby boy," she said. "I’m going to miss him, but I know he's here."
If anyone has any information about the case, they are encouraged to call 478-751-7500.