Driver Sought in Fatal Wreck

DeKalb County police said Friday they are still searching for the driver but have recovered the vehicle that struck and killed one woman and critically injured a second during a hit-and-run traffic accident on busy Buford Highway.

Haregeweyin Ewenetu, 31, was pronounced dead at the scene and her roommate, Lakech Habtewold, was rushed for medical treatment at Grady Memorial Hospital, where she was listed Friday in critical condition. The accident occurred around 8 p.m. in the 3600 block of Buford Highway, which is home to several immigrant communities.

Authorities said the female driver of the southbound red car stopped the vehicle after the crash and got out, but fled from the scene on foot after realizing the victims had been struck. Authorities said they know thedriver of the car but declined to name her.

"We are looking for a Hispanic female (and) we know the female to be very, very pregnant," said DeKalb police spokesman Dale Davis, who said the vehicle was found about a block away from where the accident occurred.

The two women, who were Ethiopian immigrants, were walking home to Cambridge Creek Apartments when the accident occurred. The driver of a taxicab swerved to avoid hitting the women immediately after the accident. Witnesses said the women's mangled bodies were lying in the street after the wreck.

Friends of the women were visibly distraught after the wreck, which could spur new calls to make the busy thoroughfare more pedestrian friendly.

"Buford Highway is one of the most dangerous streets," said Mellaku Buru, who lives in the area. "There are no sidewalks."