Father, former Atlanta firefighter killed in hit and run; no arrest made

The family of 37-year-old Tavarius Ridgeway say they feel like they’re living in a nightmare.

“The worst thing a mother would want to hear, is her child is gone,” said Tammy Ridgeway.

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Atlanta Police say on Thanksgiving night, Ridgeway was crossing Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway near Club Crucial. Police say a driver of a white sedan struck him with such impact, it sent his body into the air and landed on top of a BMW that was driving in the opposite direction.

Witnesses at the scene tell Channel 2′s Ashli Lincoln the white sedan did not stop, and vehicle appeared to be a white Mercedes -Benz.

“The really, really hurting part is, Tavarius would do anything for anybody and everybody,” said Anthony Ridgeway.

Ridgeway’s death is another mark on the growing list of pedestrian fatalities reported on Hollowell Parkway.

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A problem so bad that the Georgia Department of Transportation listed Hollowell as one of the top corridors in Georgia with clear patterns of pedestrian related crashes.

“When is something going to be done, how many more people have to die, for y’all to do something,” said Kendra Ryles, Ridgeway’s girlfriend.

The state has been tracking pedestrian safety measures for the last four years. They’ve made some changes to Hollowell including cross walks and increased lighting. However, the Ridgeways’ say that’s not enough.

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Ridgeway left the fire department in 2021 to pursue several entrepreneurial endeavors. His family says what he was most proud of, was being a dad to her 2-year-old daughter.

“I don’t know anybody who had a heart like his,” said Ryles.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer J. Thacker with Atlanta police at 404-546-5466 or via email.

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