Oxford man arrested in hit-and-run fatality in Conyers, police credit rapid response to Flock technology

CONYERS, GA—Conyers Police Department and the Georgia State Patrol quickly tracked down the suspect of the fatal hit-and-run on Dogwood Drive that claimed the life of Andrea Cantrell, 43, of Conyers.

Authorities arrested Derrick Lydell Mathis, 52, of Oxford and charged him with Homicide by Vehicle. Mathis was located at a motel in Conyers, just 12 hours after the incident was reported on Monday, Aug. 17.

Conyers Police Department’s Flock Safety intelligence platform and license plate reader technology played a significant role in quickly developing critical leads in the investigation, officials said.

 Police officers and the Georgia State Patrol worked together to rapidly track down the vehicle and the suspect in the  hit-and-run incident, which occurred in the early morning hours on Aug. 17. Detectives reviewed surveillance footage, conducted detailed investigative analysis, and used Flock Safety intelligence to locate the suspected vehicle at a home on Harvel Street in Conyers. 

Authorities secured warrants and located the suspect at a motel in Conyers, making the arrest within 12 hours of the initial report, Conyers Police Department stated in a news release. Mathis was taken into custody without incident, officials said. 

The Georgia State Patrol is now leading the investigation and Conyers Police Department will continue to assist GSP as needed throughout the investigation.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Conyers Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division or the Georgia State Patrol.