Driver killed after crash with suspect who stole his tow truck, Georgia State Patrol says
Georgia State Patrol is investigating a crash that killed a driver who was chasing after a man accused of stealing his truck.
The crash happened on April 24 around 4 a.m. on Ga. 286 in Murray County. Kenneth Hawkins, 29, died in the crash.
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Investigators said that Steven O’Neal Taylor, 47, stole Hawkins’ 1995 Ford Rollback tow truck in Whitfield County on Monday morning. Hawkins then chased after Taylor in his 2005 Dodge Ram truck, according to GSP.
At some point during the chase, Georgia State Patrol said the two trucks crashed on the highway near Fullers Chapel Road. Hawkins was pronounced dead at the scene.
Taylor was taken to a hospital in Chattanooga with serious injuries.
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According to his obituary, Hawkins was a mechanic and owned a garage known as Blue Oval Automotive and Performance.
“Kenneth never met a stranger and would go above and beyond to help anyone in need. He loved working on lawn mowers and anything mechanical,” his family wrote in his obituary.
Hawkins’ life will be celebrated on Saturday at Dalton Funeral Home with visitation from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 4 p.m.
Georgia State Patrol said its investigators and the Murray County Sheriff’s Department are still investigating.
GSP investigators initially believed that the tow truck was towing the Ram 2500 with Hawkins still sitting in the driver’s seat when it left the roadway and went into flames.
Investigators said they later learned Hawkins was chasing after Taylor because of the alleged theft.
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