UPDATED: Pedestrian likely killed in Highway 14 hit and run
Published 5:16 pm Sunday, July 26, 2015
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating a possible fatal hit and run after a body was found early Saturday morning.
According to Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson, a 26-year-old male was found dead on the side of the road near the intersection of Alabama Highway 14 and County Road 209.
Dallas County Coroner Alan Dailey identified the man Sunday afternoon as Joseph Edward Johnson of Elmore County.
According to Dailey, Johnson’s body was found around 3 a.m.
Dailey said it appeared Johnson was struck by a vehicle, but the cause of death cannot be confirmed until a full autopsy is completed.
Dailey said Johnson’s body will be sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science in Montgomery for an autopsy to help determine the cause and time of death.
Sgt. John Hatfield with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department said there was an ongoing investigation Sunday, but the department was not ready to release any details.
Hatfield told the Times-Journal Monday that the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is taking over the investigation.
Alabama State Trooper Reginal King confirmed ALEA is handling the death investigation, but he has not released any additional information as of 8 p.m. Monday evening.