A 13-year-old girl was killed in an Athens car crash on February 1 after a wrong-way driver struck the vehicle in which she was traveling. She has been identified as Kayla Smith, a student of Hilsman Middle School in Athens.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, the accident happened just before 11 p.m. on the Athens Perimeter close to Mitchell Bridge Road.
Before the accident occurred, Athens-Clarke police put out a broadcast warning road users about a driver going the wrong way on the perimeter.
A sheriff’s deputy from Oconee County first saw the white Hyundai Genesis in the area of Epps Bridge Parkway and tried to stop it. However, Chief Deputy Jeremy Wasdin said the driver didn’t stop and went on to hit a car.
The Hyundai was driven by 25-year-old Molly A. Tulley of Athens. She was traveling east when she struck a Dodge Charger driven by 20-year-old Yanelis M. Figueroa, also of Athens.
Smith was a passenger in the Dodge. Figueroa and Tulley were taken to Athens Regional Medical Center in serious condition.
The GSP said officers suspected that Tulley was impaired by drugs and alcohol. She is facing multiple charges including homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence, reckless driving, driving on the wrong side of the road, possessing a controlled substance, and possession of a knife or firearm during the commission of a crime.
The Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team will continue to probe the Athens car crash.
Spokeswoman for Clarke County School District spokeswoman Beth Moore said the community was devastated by the loss of one of its students.
If you lost a loved one in a crash caused by a reckless driver, you may be entitled to compensation. A Georgia car accident attorney can assist you with your case.
Source: https://www.onlineathens.com/story/news/2021/02/01/athens-teen-killed-crash-perimeter-caused-wrong-way-driver/4344825001/