Person of Interest Detained in Hit and Run Death of Child
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Neighbors along Diamond Grove Road say there are two things that stick out when thinking about Tuesday’s nights deadly collision. First, why was Amber Kendrick and two adult family friends riding after dark? “This road is very dangerous and its 50 miles an hour people go over that, we have semis and logging trucks flying down these roads, people don’t pay attention, ” said Katy Cooper, who has been living in the area for about six years. Neighbors say it is very rare to see horseback riders after dark along Diamond Grove Road, which is also known as Highway 197 West. “That’s the first time I’ve heard of it here,” explained Cooper. Secondly, neighbors wonder is Richard Alan White, 28, of Madison County, is investigators only person of interest. Investigators believe he hit both horses, slamming head on into the one Amber Kendrick, 12, of Pinson, was riding. “He exited the vehicle, removed the license plate from the vehicle and fled the scene on foot,” said Sgt. Jerry Elston of the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies arrested White in the woods behind this house in the 300 block of Diamond Grove Road. It belongs to a family member. As of right now he faces no charges in the crash but is no stranger to the law. He is currently wanted on an outstanding warrant and his prior charges of DUI, speeding, reckless driving, drug possession and was suspected in an aggravated burglary last year. That list could soon grow. “The only reason that an individual would remove a license plate, in my opinion, would be to prevent identification or at least slow down the identification process,” said Sgt. Elston. White is in custody, but as of right now is only a person of interest.
