The young man charged in a deadly hit and run in Wedowee is believed to have been under the influence of alcohol when he hit two pedestrians on the night of May 18, according to court documents.
Jackson Wyatt Pinkard, 18, is charged with manslaughter, first-degree assault and leaving the scene of an accident. Wedowee Police said he confessed to hitting two people on U.S. 431 near Kiwanis Park.
Jamarkus Nelson, 15, was pronounced dead on the scene and a 13-year-old female was injured and taken to Children’s of Alabama for treatment.
Prosecutors stated Pinkard “manifested extreme indifference to the value of human life” after he hit the pair and did not stop to help.
Pinkard was arrested the next day. He bonded out of the Randolph County Jail on May 20, court records show.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 26.
According to Nelson's obituary, he loved singing and playing the piano and guitar. His loved ones said he never met a stranger and had a heart of gold.
The obituary stated, "He absolutely loved people and wanted to help everyone. Jamarkus loved his parents so much, and he loved to ride. There was never a time when his mom left home without him and his Bluetooth speaker."
Funeral services will be held for Nelson at the Randolph County High School gymnasium at 11 a.m. on Memorial Day.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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