COLQUITT COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) –A Colquitt County family is speaking out for the first time after an arrest was made in connection to a deadly hit-and-run that claimed the life of 52-year-old Erik “Wade” Kitchens.

According to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), the crash happened just before 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, on State Route 133 near Mike Horne Road. Troopers say Kitchens was a passenger in a northbound Mercury vehicle that was hit from behind while attempting to turn into a private driveway.

The impact sent the car spinning off the road, traveling through a ditch before coming to rest facing the opposite direction. Kitchens was taken to Colquitt Regional Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.

Authorities initially said the striking vehicle fled the scene, and its identity was unknown. Investigators believed it was a Dodge Ram truck, model year between 2019 and 2024, with front-end damage to the bumper, grille, and passenger-side headlight.

GSP’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT-G) launched a full investigation, which ultimately led to the location of the suspected vehicle and the arrest of the suspect. However, investigators have not yet released the suspect’s name or details about the charges.

“We didn’t expect them to find somebody so fast,” said Barbara Jones, Kitchens’ ex-wife and the mother of his children. “But knowing that somebody is in jail and has to answer for what they did helps a little bit.”

Jones says the family is still grappling with grief — not only from losing Kitchens but also from the recent passing of his father just a week before the crash.

“There were three people in that car — three lives that he had no idea in what condition they were in,” Jones said. “I just don’t understand how you can leave a person and know that they need help.”

Jones said she was in shock when she learned that their son, Damian, was also in the car and witnessed the crash.

“He was the first one to his daddy, the first one to try to help get him out of the car,” she said. “It’s been hard. It’s been hard for both my boys. Wade actually has two more children, so it’s been hard for all of his kids.”

Jones says Damian is still recovering from facial injuries, along with another passenger in the car, Tina, who is Kitchens’ wife. Despite the pain, she says the family wants Wade to be remembered for the kind of man he was.

“He was hardworking, loved his kids — he was one of a kind,” Jones said. “He was hardheaded and stubborn, but he’d do anything for you.”

Kitchens’ family says they’re leaning on each other and the Colquitt County community for strength as they prepare to lay him to rest.

WALB News 10 will continue to follow this story and provide updates as soon as more details about the suspect and charges are released.

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