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Once shot in face, DeKalb Police K-9 tracks down fatal hit-and-run suspect hiding in drain pipe

Charles Ralph Babb was killed in the crash, police said.

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County Police K-9 officer Indi tracked down the suspect in a fatal hit-and-run that occurred late Sunday in a drainpipe, police said.

Police arrested 34-year-old Kenzie Flagg; he surrendered at around 4 a.m. on Monday. 

Investigators said they believe Flagg, who was driving north on Moreland Avenue, struck the victim’s vehicle at the corner of Moreland Avenue and Eastland Road as the vehicle was turning left shortly before 11 p.m. 

After the incident, Flagg fled the scene. A passenger in his vehicle, a man in his early 40s, was transported to a local hospital. 

The driver of the other vehicle, a man in his early 70s, later died at a local hospital, police confirmed. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office later identified that victim as Charles Ralph Babb. 

Credit: Provided by family members
Charles Ralph Babb was killed in a hit-and-run accident over the weekend, police said. The suspect was found by K-9 Indi.

K-9 Indi is being credited for finding the suspect. After being taken into custody, Flagg was transported to the hospital. 

K-9 Indi is the same officer who was shot in the head in December of 2018. On social media, police said: "Having one eye hasn't slowed K-9 Indi down at all!"

The victim's daughter, Denise Stubbs, said he was a well-loved by his grandchildren and his wife of 50 years. Stubbs said Babb was also his wife's caretaker while battling ovarian cancer.

"She doesn’t know any different anymore. When you’ve been married to someone for 50 years, that is your whole life," said Stubbs.

She said even through this terrible situation, she was glad it was K-9 Indi who caught Flagg. Stubbs runs a special-needs dog rescue in Missouri.

"A special-needs police K-9, because we have a special-needs dog rescue, so I think Dad would’ve felt that was really cool," Stubbs said.

Stubbs said her father didn't want a memorial, so she and her mother are asking anyone who wishes to help, to donate to her rescue, "Fighting for Dawn."

Flagg is facing a number of charges, including vehicular homicide, police said. Authorities said that alcohol is believed to be a factor, but the investigation remains ongoing.

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