Monticello Man Kills Self after Being Named in Fatal Hit & Run

James Jenkins, 50, of Monticello was found dead Monday in his truck in rural Jasper County apparently of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Mr. Jenkins was identified as the driver of a Ford vehicle that fatally struck 44-year-old Covington resident Deanna Mattheus on January 30. The hit-and-run crash occurred amid foggy conditions.

Officials determined that Ms. Mattheus was killed sometime between 11:48 p.m., and midnight on Monday, Jan. 30, when she was reportedly walking near Laurie Lane on Hwy. 36 in Newton County. According to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle struck and killed her, and the driver did not stop.

The investigation initially identified the suspect vehicle as a Ford with damage to the passenger side. Upon investigation, Mr. Jenkins was identified as the likely culprit.

Persons arrested in Jasper County in the last week, and their charges include:

•Christopher Todd Austin, 33, Covington—child molestation

•Roger Goodrum, 66, Monticello—contempt of a Superior Court order

•Mark Timothy Daniel, 48, Monticello—parole violation

•Deja Monique Pennamon, 24, Mansfield—simple battery-family violence

•Christopher Lee Hughes, 43, Monticello—probation violation

•Alexander Michael Griffin, 24, McDonough—probation violation

•Charleston Reid, 29, Eatonton—possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance (two counts), driving while license suspended or revoked, speeding

•Robin Maryann Cobb, 37, Covington—serving six days

•Donnesha Williams, 28, Macon—driving while license suspended or revoked

•Jacinto Corona-Ramirez, 49, Shady Dale—driving without a valid license, use of safety belts in passenger vehicles

•Shikeem Nicqurion Sturdivant, 24, Jefferson—probation violation

•Paris George Clendenin Jr, 43, Monticello— probation violation, willful obstruction of law enforcement officers

•Isaac Cole Purvis Lewis, 21, Mansfield—statutory rape

•Kaitlin Marie Coursey, 28, Hampton—hold for Henry County

•Steve Anthony Satterfield Jr, 39, Blue Ridge—theft by deception

•Shannon Leigh Butler, 38, Marietta—probation violation

•Theresa Marie Bollinger, 56, Covington—probation violation

•Taylor Austin Johnson, 28, Covington—habitual violator, passing in a no passing zone

Persons who were arrested last week, and were not listed in last week’s paper by accident, include:

•Hollie Danielle Hawkins, 31, Oxford—failure to appear for a fingerprintable charge

•Allen Murphy Marone, 28 Warner Robins—probation violation

•Alfonza Curtis Kitchens, 48, Toombsboro—hold for Wilkerson Co. S.O.

•Amber Lea Gober, 20, Stockbridge—marijuana/possession less than an ounce.

•Gregory Lee Stewart, 54, Monticello—court order

•Jesus Reyes, 34, Eatonton—speeding, driving while unlicensed

•Adam Lee Phillips, 29, Mansfield—reckless driving, duty upon striking unattended vehicle, hit and run; duty of driver to stop at or return to scene of accident

•Elizabeth Dale Hamilton, 42, Locust Grove—possession of a Schedule I Controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine

•Edward Lamar Campbell, Jr, 49, Sharpsburg—possession of methamphetamine, possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance

•Allison Levell Carty, 28, Decatur—probation violation

•Thomas Jason Becknell, 39, Monticello—failure to appear for a fingerprintable charge