A quiet stretch of Jeffersonville Road in Macon turned deadly late Friday night, leaving one man dead and another sitting behind bars. The loss has shaken a neighborhood that is used to traffic noise, not tragedy.
Just after 9 p.m., Bibb County sheriff’s deputies rushed to Jeffersonville Road near Purnell Drive after calls came in about a man struck by a car. When they arrived, they found 36-year-old Eric Wilburn lying along the roadway. The scene was chaotic and dark, lit by flashing blue lights and passing headlights slowing in confusion.
Investigators said Wilburn had been walking along the road when he was hit. He suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead right there at the scene. Bibb County Coroner Ronnie Miley later notified Wilburn’s family, delivering the kind of news no one is ever ready to hear.
The driver involved was identified as 39-year-old Daniel Hicks. Authorities said Hicks did not flee. He stayed at the scene and was the person who called 911 to report the crash. Even so, what deputies found next led to his arrest.
Hicks was taken to the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center, where he was charged with driving under the influence, having an open container, no insurance, and driving with a suspended license. By the end of the night, one life was gone and another had taken a sharp turn toward the criminal justice system.
The stretch of Jeffersonville Road where the crash happened is known for limited lighting and fast-moving vehicles. Residents nearby say pedestrians often walk along the roadway, especially at night, making the area dangerous even on a good day.
The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is still ongoing. Deputies are working to piece together exactly what led up to the crash and whether speed or other factors played a role in Wilburn’s death.
Anyone who saw the incident or has information is urged to contact the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500. For now, flowers and silence mark the spot where Eric Wilburn lost his life, a stark reminder of how quickly an ordinary night can turn fatal.
