A 21-year-old U.S. Airman has tragically died after being struck by a truck while trying to fix a tire on the side of I-24 in Dade County, and now his grieving family is pleading with the public for help identifying the driver who fled the scene.
The incident occurred on November 2, just before 9 p.m., near mile marker 2 on I-24, close to the Tennessee–Georgia border, according to Georgia State Patrol.
The young serviceman has been identified as Demetrius Norwood III. His loved ones are still reeling from the sudden, senseless loss.
His sister, Savannah Pickett, said, “We’re hoping that whoever was on the road traveling at that time saw something that could lead to a tip on who did this … It’s been really, really hard, just trying to make peace with things.”
Norwood’s girlfriend, Jayda Hughes, was with him that night, along with her two-year-old son. She told investigators that their car had a tire fall off, leaving it stranded in the right lane.
As Norwood worked to change the tire, she shone a flashlight to alert other drivers. According to her account, a truck came speeding, swerved, and struck him. She added hauntingly, “He swerved … like he was going fast … and he saw there.”
The crash killed Norwood instantly. His family and friends describe him as a caring, driven young man who believed deeply in serving others. His death has left a void. “He was so caring. He smiled every time you saw him,” Pickett said.
Norwood’s life reflected both service and promise. He served in the Air Force, was pursuing higher education at Alabama A&M University, and even interned at NASA a testament to his ambition and his commitment to making a difference.
Now, investigators with the Georgia State Patrol continue to chase leads. The driver who struck him reportedly fled the scene heading west, but investigators say they do not have a clear description of the vehicle involved.
Norwood's family is urging anyone who might have seen something that night to come forward. “One small piece of information could lead to so many answers,” Hughes said. Pickett echoed that appeal, stressing how much closure it could bring: “We just want closure.”
The family has asked anyone with information to reach out to the Georgia State Patrol. As they wait for justice, the community mourns a young man whose life and service were cut far too short and hopes that someone, somewhere, might hold the missing piece to this painful puzzle.
