A man killed in a hit-and-run crash in Gwinnett County was remembered by family and friends at a funeral Saturday, Channel 2 Action News reported.

The hit-and-run crash on July 9 at the intersection of Ga. 316 and Duluth Highway in Lawrenceville killed 26-year-old Anthony McPherson of Buford.

"I broke down. I broke down. I just broke down,” Alex Parilla, a friend of McPherson’s, told Channel 2. “I started yelling and everything like that. I started getting angry because I just couldn't believe that one of our best friends, our brother, just left the Earth.”

Another friend of McPherson’s, Brandon Woods, said after the crash the driver who hit the car from behind attempted to drive off but the car wasn’t working, so he ran away.

Michael Robert Branigan of Cumming turned himself in later that day. Branigan was charged with vehicular homicide, hit-and-run failure to stop and render aid, and following too closely.

Branigan was released on $25,900 bond.

Michael Robert Branigan has been charged with vehicular homicide, hit and run and following too closely after a July 9 crash that left one man dead.

Credit: Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office

icon to expand image

Credit: Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office

Channel 2 reported that Parilla said: "I will pray for you. I will pray for your family, even though you made such a mistake. We are all humans.... Hopefully justice will be served and he gets what he deserves."

In other news:

Mountain Lion Crashes Through Window, Lands On Sleeping Woman

About the Author

Keep Reading

Body camera footage captures Atlanta Sgt. Marc Theodule kicking a woman in the face as they wait for an ambulance to transport her for emergency mental health treatment on July 26, 2021. The woman repeatedly spit toward the sergeant while she was handcuffed and on the ground. (Atlanta Police Department)

Credit: Atlanta Police

Featured

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., speaks during a town hall on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Atlanta at the Cobb County Civic Center. (Jason Allen/Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Credit: Jason Allen/AJC