TROUP COUNTY, GA – A homicide investigation is underway following the tragic death of Richard Hawk, a 64-year-old man from Texas, who was fatally shot in an apparent road rage incident on Interstate 85.
On July 30th at 4:02 PM, deputies with the Troup County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a possible vehicle accident with injuries near the 11-mile marker on I-85. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a single vehicle in the median. The driver, later identified as Richard Hawk, was found unresponsive and bleeding inside the vehicle.
Emergency responders removed Hawk from the car and began life-saving efforts. While en route to WellStar West Georgia Medical Center, it was discovered that Hawk had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. Despite medical intervention, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital.
As the scene transitioned from a traffic incident to a potential homicide, the Criminal Investigations Division of the Sheriff’s Office was immediately called in. A witness to the event reported seeing aggressive behavior between two vehicles on the interstate, which appeared to be a road rage confrontation. The witness provided dispatch with a vehicle description and tag number, helping authorities quickly locate a suspect.
That vehicle was soon found by officers with the West Point Police Department inside city limits. Authorities detained the driver, identified as Nytorian Allen, 23, of LaGrange, Georgia. The suspect’s vehicle was taken into custody as evidence.
Allen was transported to the Troup County Sheriff’s Office, where he was formally charged with:
- Murder
- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of or Attempt to Commit Certain Crimes
Because of the incident’s proximity to West Point Elementary School, the school was placed on lockdown for precautionary reasons. The lockdown was lifted a short time later once the area was secured.
This tragedy has shocked the local and broader communities, as a cross-country traveler’s life was abruptly and violently cut short. The Troup County Sheriff’s Office continues to actively investigate the case and urges anyone with additional information or dashcam footage of the incident to come forward.
If you have any tips or evidence, contact the Troup County Sheriff’s Office at (706) 883-1616.
Leave a Reply