Savannah-Chatham police are seeking witnesses who may have been in the area where a pedestrian was struck and killed on Johnny Mercer Boulevard late Nov. 25 just before Thanksgiving morning.
Jonathan Edwards, 35, who lived on Wilmington Island, died after he was struck just east of the Spencer Grayson Bridge over Turner’s Creek just before midnight, said Julian Miller, police spokesman. Police believe he was walking west toward the bridge when he was struck. He was wearing a black leather jacket, blue jeans and light tan work boots at the time, Miller said.
Savannah-Chatham police identified 25-year-old Jessica Krebs, of a Shamrock Circle address, as the driver of the vehicle who did not stop.
The woman has been charged with first degree vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, and hit and run with fatal injuries.
Miller asked anyone who may have seen Edwards walking in the area around the time of the incident to call police at 912-525-2421.
Fire officials urge safety during holidays
Savannah Fire & Emergency Services officials Tuesday released fire safety guidelines and precautions as the holiday season approaches.
Department spokesman Mark Keller provided the following tips:
• Do not place live holiday trees close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
• Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch.
• Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center.
• Inspect holiday lights for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
• Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires — they should not be warm to the touch.
• Ensure that all metallic or artificial trees are flame-retardant. All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents. Do not leave holiday lights on unattended.
• Never put wrapping paper in a fireplace — it can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers and may result in a chimney fire.
• Avoid using lit candles. If you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.
• Never place lit candles on a tree. Do not go near a Christmas tree with any open flame — candles, lighters or matches.
Finally, Keller said, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times, and remember to practice your home escape plan.
Tybee police get diesel patrol cars
Police on Tybee Island have added two diesel vehicles to their lineup of patrol cars.
Police Chief Bob Bryson said the department got the turbo diesel Volkswagen Passat sedans on Friday.
“When they went and picked them up from Chattanooga, (Tenn.), they only took half a tank of gas to get from Chattanooga to Tybee PD, which is pretty impressive,” Bryson said.
The model of car was selected after research by a community resource committee on the island.
“They did a whole lot of research and tested them against other cars,” Bryson said. “They feel they will save a lot of money and gas. So far they’ve done very well.”
The cars, which are equipped with radars, emergency lights, computers and cages for transporting occupants in the back seats, cost $25,422 apiece, Bryson said.
Traffic signal at Ga. 204 spur/Old Whitefield to be activated
A new traffic signal at the intersection of Ga. 204 spur/Whitefield Avenue and Old Whitefield Avenue will be activated today.
The signal had been scheduled to turn on last week, but inclement weather postponed its activation. It was postponed again Tuesday.
Compiled by Corey Dickstein and Dash Coleman