Worker killed in hit-and-run while cleaning up side of road; driver charged

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Channel 2 Action News has learned that investigators arrested and charged the suspected hit-and-run driver accused of killing a Union City employee earlier Monday.

Investigators said 27-year-old Joel John Jr., of Fairburn, slammed into 35-year-old Brandon McCrary while McCrary was cleaning up garbage on the side of Lester Road.

McCrary worked in public services for the City of Union City. His co-workers watched in horror as the driver sped off, leaving McCrary to die in the street.

“He was always a happy person. You could talk about somebody all day and he would never talk about anybody," the victim’s mother, Jeri McCrary, said.

“Brandon was very dear to us. We’re going to miss him,” the victim’s father, Leon McCrary, said.

Overcome with emotion, the victim’s parents fought back tears Monday.

"They hit him like a cat or a dog or an animal and just left him there,” Jeri McCary said.

After an hours-long manhunt across Fulton County, Georgia state troopers say tire marks from the scene led them to a home in Fairburn, where they arrested John. He is now charged with multiple felonies, including hit-and-run and homicide by vehicle.

“For someone to heartlessly hit a human being and just leave. That’s unimaginable,” said Vince Williams, mayor of Union City.

Williams spoke with Channel 2 Action News just hours after he delivered the heartbreaking news to the victim’s family.

He said the city is now looking at different ways to honor McCrary’s memory.

“He was an awesome young man. I just couldn’t believe it,” Williams said.

The suspect is scheduled to face a judge Tuesday morning.

In the meantime, the city is bringing in grief counselors to speak with employees impacted by the tragedy.

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