ATLANTA, DeKalb County, Ga., Oct. 16, 2026 — A pedestrian suffered serious injuries Thursday morning, October 15, after being hit by a vehicle at Glenwood Road and Candler Road in DeKalb County, according to DeKalb County police.
A man reportedly entered the crosswalk at the intersection when he was struck by a vehicle, according to the report.
He was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, police said. His condition has not been released.
The driver remained at the scene after the crash. No charges had been announced as of Thursday, and the investigation is ongoing.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
How Investigators Piece Together a Pedestrian Crash
Officers who respond to a pedestrian crash start by securing the scene and tending to the injured before any reconstruction work begins. Once the immediate emergency is handled, investigators measure skid marks, photograph the crosswalk and signal timing, and look for surveillance or dashcam footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras.
Witness accounts are gathered at the scene and often followed up on later, since memories and details can shift in the hours after a crash. If the pedestrian's condition is serious, police may hold off on releasing full details, including names, until the person's status is confirmed and next of kin have been notified. That notification step can take time on its own, especially if family lives out of the area.
A final report, including any determination of fault or citation, typically takes weeks. Investigators may need to review phone records, download data from a vehicle's event recorder, or wait on medical updates before closing the case. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,314 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2023, and the scale of that toll is part of why agencies build a careful, document-heavy record on each case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pedestrian crashes more common at night?
Darkness and low visibility do raise the risk, but crashes also happen during daylight at busy intersections, especially during morning and evening commute hours when traffic volume is high.
What should a pedestrian do after being hit by a car?
Call 911 immediately, stay as still as possible until help arrives, and seek a full medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor at first, since some symptoms take hours to appear.
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
Pedestrians generally have the right of way in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, though both drivers and pedestrians are expected to use caution and obey traffic signals.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Atlanta, GA
If you're involved in or witness a pedestrian crash in Atlanta should call 911 right away and avoid moving an injured person unless there's immediate danger. Getting checked by a medical provider is important even for injuries that seem mild at first.
It also helps to note what you saw, including the time, weather, and signal conditions, while the details are fresh. If police respond, ask how to obtain a copy of the official report once it's completed, since that document often takes time to finalize.
