Woman suspected of deadly hit-and-run meets with police

Image 1 of 5

Gwinnett County Police have met with a woman who was wanted for allegedly running over and killing a woman with an SUV at a gas station.

Investigators said before 11 p.m. Monday, 27-year-old Anita Mustafi stopped at the BP gas station at the intersection of Pleasant Hill and Venture Drive. She went in to pay and buy some items, then after leaving a man approached her and they talked shortly. 

According to police, the woman started to leave, only to have two women in a different car come up.  Police said a verbal altercation broke out, and at one point the two women opened her door and got physical with the driver. She tried to leave but one of the women blocked her way. They again opened her door and police said punches were thrown. 

As the Mustafi tried to back away, her door knocked one of the women over. That woman was then pulled under the SUV as it fled from the scene.

Paramedics rushed the woman who was hit to the hospital, but she didn't survive. She has been identified as 50-year-old Decatur resident Melissa Wheeler.

On Tuesday, police say that Mustafi and her attorney made contact with the lead investigator to tell "her side of the story." After talking with investigators, police say the incident "requires further investigation."

While originally reports say that Mustafi would be charged with felony hit and run, officials now say a decision on charges will be made after the investigation is over.

Detectives also want to talk to the man who approached Mustafi at the pump. They said he's not suspected of foul play, but hope he can help identify the driver. 

The woman involved in the altercation who wasn't hurt fled the scene.