Family demands answers after father killed in Washington County hit-and-run

Deputies search for 22-year-old Derrion Daquan Yorker, who they say struck and killed Randall Waters on Waco Mill Road and fled the scene.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 9:26pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car side mirror reflecting a faint red light, conceptually representing the aftermath of a fatal hit-and-run accident.The aftermath of a tragic hit-and-run accident exposes the human cost of fleeing the scene.Tennille Today

A Washington County family is grieving after a hit-and-run killed their father, Randall Waters, on a rural road Saturday night. Investigators say 22-year-old Derrion Daquan Yorker struck Waters with a white Ford Focus, then crashed into a parked semi-trailer and fled the scene on foot. Waters' children, Amber Stephens and Jon Waters, described him as a hardworking, selfless man who was always there for his family and neighbors.

Why it matters

This tragic incident has devastated the Waters family, who lost both parents within the same month. The case also highlights the ongoing challenges of hit-and-run crashes and the need for accountability, as the driver's decision to flee the scene has compounded the family's grief.

The details

According to Georgia State Patrol, Randall Waters, 61, was walking along Waco Mill Road near Tennille just before 9 p.m. Saturday when a white Ford Focus crossed the centerline and struck him. The car then crashed into a parked semi-trailer, and the driver and possibly other passengers fled the scene on foot. Waters was pronounced dead at the scene.

  • On March 29, 2026, Randall Waters was struck and killed by a vehicle on Waco Mill Road near Tennille, Georgia, just before 9 p.m.

The players

Randall Waters

A 61-year-old man who was killed in the hit-and-run incident while walking on Waco Mill Road near Tennille, Georgia.

Derrion Daquan Yorker

A 22-year-old man who deputies say struck and killed Randall Waters with a white Ford Focus, then fled the scene.

Amber Stephens

Randall Waters' daughter, who described him as a hardworking, selfless man who was always there for his family and neighbors.

Jon Waters

Randall Waters' son, who wants the driver to understand the weight of what happened and questioned why the driver did not call for help.

Joel Cochran

The Washington County Sheriff, who identified Derrion Daquan Yorker as the active suspect and said investigators collected DNA evidence from the vehicle.

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What they’re saying

“My daddy was a hardworking man my whole life. He was always there for us, even though he had work. He still made sure that me and Jon had what we need.”

— Amber Stephens, Randall Waters' daughter

“How would they feel if that was their dad? Did you not think about calling somebody? Did you just worry about yourself?”

— Jon Waters, Randall Waters' son

“I just wish instead, if he ran, that he would have just stayed there and called. Maybe him calling, it could have been a little bit of a chance of daddy making it.”

— Amber Stephens, Randall Waters' daughter

What’s next

Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran said investigators collected DNA evidence from the vehicle and urged anyone with information on Derrion Daquan Yorker's whereabouts to call 911. Cochran also warned that anyone found harboring Yorker could face felony charges.

The takeaway

This tragic hit-and-run incident has devastated the Waters family, who lost both parents within the same month. The case highlights the need for accountability and compassion in such situations, as the driver's decision to flee the scene has only compounded the family's grief. The community is now searching for answers and justice in the hopes of providing some closure for the grieving family.