HELEN, Ga. – An Alto man has been arrested following a hit and run accident Saturday that injured a Helen pedestrian.

Christopher Allen Hatter, 41, faces multiple charges after he allegedly struck James Forrest Stephens, 45, of Helen on Hwy. 75 near the intersection of Hamby Street. Stephens was transported by White County EMS to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville with undisclosed injuries.

Graylon Bryson, of Helen, told Georgia State Patrol he witnessed the incident. Bryson said he was traveling northbound behind Hatter’s 2002 Mitsubishi Galant and that Hatter was having difficulty maintaining his lane. He added that Hatter had crossed into the southbound lane then swerved back to the right, crossing onto the shoulder and struck Stephens.

Bryson said Hatter continued north for a short distance then made a u-turn and began to travel south to the site of the accident, slowed down and almost stopped before accelerating and continuing south on Hwy. 75, leaving the scene.

Hatter was arrested and booked into the White County Detention Center where he is charged with DUI, hit and run resulting in serious injury or death, failure to stop at a stop sign, failure to maintain lane and no proof of insurance.

 

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