SYLVESTER, Ga. (WALB) -A 47-year-old man was airlifted to a Macon hospital Thursday evening after being hit by a car at the intersection of Carter Road and Franklin Street.

The victim, Leon Anderson, was struck at approximately 6:29 p.m. by a woman driving a 2017 Buick Regal. Anderson was flown to the Medical Center Atrium in Macon by Air Evac and remains in critical condition.

The crash is under investigation. No other details are available at this time.

Anderson’s family said this marks the second pedestrian accident involving their family in two years. They said Anderson’s brother, Sammy Anderson, was also hit by a car while trying to cross the road in Sylvester two years ago and died from his injuries.

Kiandra Anderson, Leon Anderson’s niece, said she learned about the accident through Facebook Live while at home.

“First thought was, ‘Oh my God — not again!’” she said.

Anderson said it was disheartening that people would film the scene rather than help.

“I think people need to be more human. People are living their lives through social media. It’s like they’re not even living real life, and I just want people to be kinder,” she said.

Family pastor Tremaine Alford said the bigger issue is the lack of pedestrian safety measures on Highway 82.

“Leon wouldn’t have walked in front of a car; I know him too well — I’ve known him for the majority of my life. They need to put up more lights, and the police need to patrol that area,” Alford said.

A Sylvester city councilman did not respond to requests for comment about plans to improve pedestrian safety along Carter Road.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.