Atlanta, GA
Midtown Atlanta residents alarmed by surge in pedestrian hit-and-runs at rainbow crosswalks
Brutal hit and run caught on camera
Atlanta police have identified a hit and run driver and cited her for the accident. Investigators say a car plowed into Vernon Thomas on Monday afternoon at Atlanta’s Rainbow Crossing at 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue in Midtown. Amazingly, his injuries were not life threatening.
ATLANTA – Midtown neighborhood residents are concerned over an increase in pedestrians being struck while crossing Atlanta’s iconic rainbow crosswalks.
It was the second hit-and-run crash caught on camera at the intersection of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue.
SEE ALSO: Driver wanted for hit-and-run crash in Midtown Atlanta, police say
What we know:
On Monday, just after 2:45 p.m., witnesses spotted a light-colored car strike a man sending his body soaring in the air.
That man was identified as Vernon Thomas.
Miraculously, Thomas survived and continued to recover at Grady Memorial Hospital as of Thursday afternoon.
The driver, identified as Jasmine Nettles, has been cited for leaving the scene of the accident, according to police.
What they’re saying:
Witness Akil Jules, who watched the crash unfold from his car on Piedmont Avenue, described the moment as horrifying. “All I see is like, a car speeding off, and someone landing on the floor,” Jules recalled. “I was in the car at that point and they just weren’t moving, and people were checking on them and he was on the floor. I thought he was gone.”
Jules, a software engineer, said the severity of the crash was unlike anything he’s seen before on Atlanta roads. “I know Atlanta drivers are bad, but that was the worst I’ve ever seen in my life,” he said. “That was a pretty rough hit. I am just hoping he can make a full recovery from that.”
The backstory:
The incident comes just two weeks after another pedestrian, Ashley Drumm, was also struck by a vehicle near the same area and remains hospitalized with serious injuries.
Drumm is still recovering after breaking both femurs and fracturing her skull, among other injuries.
Both crashes have renewed concerns about pedestrian safety in Midtown, an area known for heavy foot traffic and busy intersections.
What’s next:
Atlanta police say the investigations are ongoing.
The Source: FOX 5’s Aungelique Proctor talked with the accident witness, Atlanta police and witnesses.
The Atlanta Falcons are looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, and they’ll be relying on a new coaching staff to help them get there. But Kevin Stefanski is no rookie; he’s a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, only now he’ll be working with an entirely different group of personnel after coaching in Cleveland since 2020.
In addition to a new coach, the Falcons may have a different starting quarterback as Michael Penix Jr. continues to rehab last season’s torn ACL. He’ll also be competing with Tua Tagovailoa. Together, the Falcons believe they can compete for a playoff spot in the NFC South, but to do so, they’ll need all the help they can get. Unfortunately, the Falcons may not have everyone on hand to start the season.
According to The Athletic‘s Falcons insider Josh Kendall, the NFL is “likely” to suspend edge rusher James Pearce Jr.
Pearce faces three felony charges after an incident with his former girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson. Pearce’s charges are for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing the police, and resisting arrest with violence.
“Atlanta now appears to be waiting on the NFL to decide on Pearce. Under the league’s personal conduct policy, commissioner Roger Goodell has wide latitude to impose discipline regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. The league is likely to suspend Pearce. Steelers defensive back Cam Sutton was suspended eight games in 2024 after a domestic violence incident that began as a felony charge but was eventually reduced to a misdemeanor. Goodell could also place Pearce on the commissioner’s exempt list, which serves as an indefinite suspension while the league gathers more information.”
The Athletic’s Josh Kendall on James Pearce
Pearce is coming off an excellent rookie season that saw him record a team-high 10.5 sacks while starting three of his 17 appearances. The 26th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft looks like he’s poised to be a star. Yet, now the 22-year-old may have to wait to start his second NFL season. The question is how long?
If Pearce is forced to miss time, the Falcons will be counting on others, such as fellow 2025 first-round pick Jalon Walker, to make a bigger impact. The 22-year-old Walker recorded 5.5 sacks, making nine sacks in 15 appearances.
5 Possible Brendan Sorsby NFL Supplemental Draft Landing Spots for Late July
I’ve also heard that Atlanta sees great value in Swain at No. 23, but the Hawks have been signaling for some time that they are prepared (and perhaps even prefer) to trade their second pick in the first round after No. 8 for future draft capital. It sounds as though Atlanta will invite external trade interest for that pick until it is actually on the clock to make the selection Tuesday night.
marcstein.substack.com
Caitlin Clark talks her signature shoe, Indiana Fever player of the week, more
Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark has had social media buzz about her signature shoe, and she spoke about the technology, being a role model and more.
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever continued their 2026 WNBA regular season with a 113-96 loss against the Atlanta Dream on Saturday, June 20.
Clark, a former Iowa women’s basketball star, and the Fever are 9-7 after the first 16 games of the regular season.
Here’s a look at how Clark fared in Saturday’s game in Atlanta:
Caitlin Clark stats today in Indiana Fever vs Atlanta Dream
- Minutes: 34
- Points: 26
- Rebounds: 3
- Assists: 7
- Blocks: 0
- Steals: 1
- Turnovers: 7
- Fouls: 3
- FG shooting: 11-18
- 3-point shooting: 3-7
- Free throws: 1-2
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever upcoming games
- June 22: vs Phoenix Mercury, 7 p.m. CT, USA Network
- June 24: vs Phoenix Mercury, 6:30 p.m. CT, USA Network
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