Toccoa Man Charged with Murder in Hit and Run

By Ethan Jordan, WNEG Radio, Toccoa

Stephens County has issued criminal warrants against a Toccoa man accused of felony murder and Aggravated Assault, stemming from an incident that occurred on March 30.

According to Toccoa Police Chief Jimmy Mize, on the night of March 30, the Toccoa police were alerted to a possible hit-and-run while conducting a traffic stop on Big A Road and Rosedale.

Officers had stopped a Dodge pickup truck that was passing vehicles.

As the officer exited his vehicle,the driver, identified as 55-year old Rex Holbrooks of Toccoa, asked officers to follow him to Stephens County Hospital.

Holbrooks was transporting a woman that he said he found injured on the side of the road.

When questioned, Holbrooks stated he did not know the woman nor the name of the road where he found her.

At that point, officers called the Georgia State Patrol for assistance.

While Toccoa Police investigators and the GSP were working the case the victim, identified as 48-year-old Janice Allen, of Eastanollee, succumbed to her injuries.

Later that night, investigators located the scene of the incident at 82 Lucille Ln, in Toccoa.

Toccoa Police Investigators and GBI Agents spoke with the neighbors near the scene as well as stores and businesses along Big A Road to obtain any video footage that might assist in the investigation.

On April 13, warrants were secured Holbrooks.

Holbrooks was taken into custody after a brief foot-chase and taken to the Stephens County Jail.

Mize said Holbrooks is charged with one count of felony murder and one count of aggravated assault with possibly other charges pending.