Convicted felon pleads not guilty in fatal hit-and-run case, requests jury trial

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Clyde Johnson pleaded not guilty Wednesday during his arraignment in Chatham County Superior Court on charges connected to a fatal hit-and-run.

He is accused of hitting and killing Stuart Brady in September 2025 before reportedly bragging about it to the mechanic fixing his car. Johnson is requesting a trial by jury.

Case background

Court testimony revealed Johnson took his damaged car to a mechanic for repairs and reportedly admitted that he drunkenly struck a pedestrian on Georgia 25 and left the scene.

According to the witness statement, Johnson said he (the victim) “shouldn’t have been in the road” and that he “kept going.”

Investigators used Flock camera footage to corroborate the witness statements.

Johnson has previously been denied bond. The previous judge said the allegations show a disregard for human life.

Case status

Johnson is a convicted felon with multiple prior prison sentences. He remains behind bars for the time being. His next court date was set for January.

Previous coverage

Johnson was indicted in June on charges of homicide by vehicle in the first degree, hit and run, and tampering with evidence.

The indictment alleges he made no reasonable effort to ensure emergency medical services or law enforcement could help the victim he allegedly hit. The indictment also alleges he tried to fix his Honda Accord afterward.

Brady was killed while walking along the road on Sept. 29, 2025.

A judge previously denied bond for Johnson, 59, after a Georgia State Patrol trooper testified about the investigation in court.

The trooper said Johnson took his damaged vehicle to a mechanic for repairs shortly after the incident. There, he admitted to the mechanic during a casual conversation that he struck a pedestrian on Georgia 25 and left the scene. The trooper also said Johnson admitted to being intoxicated on drugs while driving.

The mechanic gave a statement to investigators in November detailing repairs he made to Johnson’s silver 2003 Honda Accord. The statement also detailed damage to the front bumper and quarter panels, and that tape was placed on the silver car around the headlight.

A second witness, who was the front-seat passenger in Johnson’s vehicle, gave a statement in March. Grant said Johnson hit and drove past Brady on Georgia 25, did not stop to see if he was okay, and did not want to believe he had hit someone at the time.

The flock cameras showed Johnson’s silver Honda Accord on Georgia 25 at approximately the time of the hit-and-run.

The crash happened near the intersection of Ogeechee Road and Quacco Road at around 1 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. Brady was crossing Ogeechee Road when someone hit him and left without helping or calling for help. After the initial impact, a different vehicle ran over Brady while he was lying in the roadway.

The trooper said that when he arrived at the scene, Brady was found in the left lane going southbound on Georgia 25. A driver had pulled over to the side and told the officer he saw something in the road, made impact, and later discovered it was a person.

That driver called 911 and was released after investigators determined he was not the initial striking vehicle.

Investigators found broken headlight glass and plastic parts in the roadway. The roadway was dark and unlighted at the time of the crash, and conditions were dark and rainy.

Brady’s father, Tom Brady, pleaded with the community for months, trying to get answers as to who killed his son, including posting reward money and speaking with WTOC previously.

Months later, Johnson was arrested.

Johnson is a convicted felon with past parole violations, a 2010 firearm possession charge and a 2000 arson in the first degree conviction. He also has a hold out of Richmond Hill.

The defense requested bond, noting Johnson has an amputated foot that may require further amputations, and asked for release with an ankle monitor or house arrest for medical treatment.

The prosecution argued Johnson is a risk to the community and a potential flight risk, citing the witness statements about him bragging about hitting someone and the alleged tampering with evidence. The victim’s family opposed bond.

The judge denied bond, saying the allegations show a disregard for human life.

“They did not even stop to try to help him or anything, to see if he was alive. They just kept going,” Tom Brady said. “He said he had a ride, but I don’t know what happened to the ride; but apparently, his phone had died.”

“All we can do is pray to God, help us, family, get through this,” Tom Brady said. “With God’s helping and blessings, it’ll get this family through this. It’s tragic and very devastating.”