Expert helps police narrow search for hit and run car

Tag : car paints

By Michelle Paynter - bio | email
SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - There is new information about the car thatkilled an 11-year old boy. Savannah-Chatham police said they havenew evidence showing that the car that hit Tristan Linthicum iswhite and not dark-colored like they originally stated.
Traffic fatality investigator Sgt. Tony Gallo said paint chips leftat the scene indicate it is a metallic or pearlized white Lexus ES,made between 2002 and 2004. Gallo said he is confident the paintschips found at the scene are from the car that hit and killedTristan Tuesday night.
"We pulled up accident reports from that area just to make surethat no other white car was involved in a wreck," he said.
Police say two witnesses said they saw a dark colored car but thosewitnesses did not actually see it happen, just a car speeding downthe road.
Police were able to identify the make and model of the car withhelp from Michael Deyo. He works in the parts department at theChatham Parkway Toyota and Lexus dealership.
Police asked him to help them identify a car light that was left atthe scene where Tristan was killed. "The officer knew to come herebecause all of our parts are stamped," said Deyo. "All our Lexusand Toyota parts are stamped somewhere on the light."
Officers didn't know what kind of car they were looking for. Afterexamining the light for a minute, Deyo told them the light went toa Lexus ES four-door sedan, a 2002 to 2004 model.
"Very few models carry this particular type of bulb down there," hesaid. The light bulb is about the size of a thumb.
Deyo said he hopes it leads to the arrest of whoever was drivingthe car that killed Tristan as he was crossing Abercorn Street onSavannah's southside. "I hope they catch whoever did it, it'shorrible for anybody to lose a child, let alone they way that ithappened, for somebody to be so horrible to drive away like that,"he said.
Police have asked everyone at the dealership to be on the lookoutfor a white Lexus ES with front end damage. "I'm comfortable thisis the car we are looking for," said Sgt. Gallo.
Deyo said this is the first time he's been apart of a policeinvestigation, "I hope it helps."
And brings some closure to Tristan's family. The family has set upa trust to help pay for funeral expenses. You can drop off adonation to any Wachovia Bank branch. Funeral arrangements forTristan haven't been finalized yet.
Police ask if you see a white Lexus ES, 2002 to 2004 with damage tothe front end, call police or CrimeStoppers at 912.234.2020.