A man in his 30s died Monday night after being struck by two separate vehicles while walking on Moreland Avenue near Conley Road in DeKalb County, Georgia, according to FOX 5 Atlanta, citing the DeKalb County Police Department. The crash happened just after 9:30 p.m. Police say a preliminary investigation indicates the pedestrian was walking south in the right southbound lane when the two vehicles struck him. Both drivers stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators. The man died from his injuries.
Our thoughts are with the man’s family and everyone affected by this loss.
What We Know
Based on reporting from FOX 5 Atlanta and information from the DeKalb County Police Department:
- A man in his 30s was struck by two separate vehicles while walking on Moreland Avenue near Conley Road.
- It happened Monday night, just after 9:30 p.m.
- A preliminary investigation suggests the pedestrian was walking south in the right southbound lane at the time.
- Both drivers remained at the scene and cooperated with police.
- The pedestrian died from his injuries.
What Is Still Under Investigation
Police have not released several key details, and we are not speculating on them:
- The pedestrian’s identity and exact age have been withheld pending notification of next of kin.
- It is not known whether either driver will face charges or citations.
- The reason the man was walking in the active travel lane has not been determined.
The DeKalb County Police Department investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information should contact the department directly. Per police, both drivers stopped and cooperated, and no fault has been assigned.
Why These Cases Are Hard to Sort Out: A General Look at Georgia Law
The Perazzo Law Firm’s personal injury accident lawyers in Atlanta are not involved in this case and we are not assigning blame to anyone. The points below are general, educational information about Georgia law for readers who may be hurt in — or who have lost a loved one to — a pedestrian or traffic crash. Every situation is different, and only a full investigation can establish what happened in any specific incident.
Georgia Is an At-Fault, Modified-Comparative-Negligence State
Georgia handles injury claims under a fault-based system. Under Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rule (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33), an injured person can generally recover damages only if they are found less than 50% at fault for the incident. If a person is partly responsible, any recovery they might receive is typically reduced in proportion to their share of fault. If they are found 50% or more at fault, they generally cannot recover.
In practice, fault is rarely all-or-nothing. It can be shared among multiple parties — in some cases, a pedestrian and one or more drivers — and the percentages matter a great deal. That is one reason a careful, evidence-based investigation is so important.
When More Than One Vehicle Is Involved
Multiple-vehicle pedestrian collisions can raise complicated liability questions. Depending on the facts, responsibility might rest with one driver, be divided between drivers, involve the pedestrian’s own conduct, or turn on factors like roadway conditions, lighting, or visibility. Sorting this out usually depends on physical evidence, vehicle data, witness accounts, and the official police investigation — not on assumptions made in the first days after a crash.
The Role of UM/UIM Coverage
After a serious pedestrian crash, families sometimes find that available insurance is limited. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage — carried on a person’s own auto policy and, in many situations, available to household members even when they are on foot — can become an important resource when an at-fault driver has little or no coverage. Whether and how UM/UIM applies depends on the specific policies and facts involved.
Why Investigation and Evidence Matter
Because Georgia law ties recovery to percentages of fault, the evidence — scene measurements, video, vehicle inspections, witness statements, and the police findings — often shapes the outcome. Evidence can also disappear quickly. For families trying to understand what happened, preserving and reviewing that information early can be significant.
If You or Your Family Has Been Affected by a Pedestrian or Traffic Crash
If you were hurt, or you lost a loved one, in a pedestrian or traffic crash in metro Atlanta, you may have questions about your rights and options under Georgia law. The Perazzo Law Firm offers a free, no-obligation consultation to listen and explain how the process generally works. There is never any pressure, and you are under no obligation to hire anyone.
- Learn more about working with a pedestrian accident lawyer.
- Read about wrongful death claims in Georgia.
- Contact our team to talk through your situation.
Source: FOX 5 Atlanta (FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team), reporting information from the DeKalb County Police Department, published June 2, 2026. (Exact FOX 5 Atlanta article URL to be confirmed before publish.)
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with The Perazzo Law Firm. The facts described above are attributed to FOX 5 Atlanta and the DeKalb County Police Department and reflect a preliminary, ongoing investigation; details may change. The Perazzo Law Firm does not represent any party connected to this incident and expresses no opinion on fault or charges. No result is guaranteed. This is attorney advertising. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Georgia attorney.
Quick Answer
In Georgia, a pedestrian struck by a vehicle (or their family, in a fatal crash) may generally seek compensation from the at-fault driver under the state’s fault-based system. Georgia uses modified comparative negligence (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33), so an injured pedestrian can typically recover only if found less than 50% at fault, with any award reduced by their share. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may also apply. This is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pedestrian recover compensation if they were partly at fault in Georgia?
Possibly. Under Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rule (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33), an injured person can generally recover only if they are found less than 50% at fault. If a pedestrian shares some blame, any recovery is typically reduced in proportion to their percentage of fault, and a person found 50% or more at fault generally cannot recover. Fault is rarely all-or-nothing and usually depends on a full investigation.
What happens when two different drivers hit the same pedestrian?
Multiple-vehicle pedestrian collisions can raise complicated liability questions. Depending on the facts, responsibility might rest with one driver, be divided between drivers, or also involve factors like roadway conditions, lighting, or visibility. Sorting this out generally relies on physical evidence, vehicle data, witness accounts, and the official police findings rather than early assumptions.
How can uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage help after a pedestrian crash?
When an at-fault driver has little or no insurance, UM/UIM coverage carried on a person’s own auto policy can become an important resource. In many situations this coverage is available to household members even when they are on foot rather than in a vehicle. Whether and how UM/UIM applies depends on the specific policy language and the facts involved.
What is the deadline to file a pedestrian-injury or wrongful-death claim in Georgia?
Georgia generally sets a two-year statute of limitations for personal-injury and wrongful-death claims (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33), measured from the date of injury or death. Certain circumstances can shorten, extend, or otherwise affect that window, so deadlines are not always straightforward. Because evidence can also disappear quickly, families often benefit from reviewing the facts with a licensed Georgia attorney early.
Does it matter whether criminal charges or citations are filed against a driver?
Not necessarily. A civil claim for compensation in Georgia is separate from any criminal case or traffic citation, and the absence of charges does not by itself decide civil liability. Civil fault is evaluated under a different standard and depends on the overall evidence, including the police investigation, scene measurements, and witness accounts.