The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Georgia State Patrol, is actively seeking information regarding a tragic incident that occurred early Saturday morning, resulting in the death of a pedestrian on Highway 114, just south of Lyerly in the Chattoogaville area.

Sheriff Mark Schrader has reached out to the community for assistance, urging anyone who traveled from the Lyerly area on Highway 114 toward Alabama—or in the opposite direction—between 4 AM and 6 AM on Saturday, November 9, to come forward. “We are requesting help from the public for anyone who was traveling or knows someone that was traveling during that time coming to or from Alabama,” Sheriff Schrader stated. Individuals with any information are encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office at 678-767-3175 via text or call.

Sheriff Schrader also says that his office is working with the Cherokee County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office to try to uncover information.

No witnesses have yet come forward, prompting state troopers and the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office to emphasize the importance of public assistance in this investigation. The Georgia State Patrol confirmed the identity of the victim as twenty-seven-year-old Austin Carnes, a resident of Lyerly.

Authorities are committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident and are hopeful that the community will provide the necessary information to assist in their investigation.