Driver arrested in Augusta death of homeless pedestrian

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A driver has been arrested in connection with one of two fatal traffic accidents that happened over the weekend.

It was the latest deadly weekend in a bad stretch for Richmond County. two pedestrians were killed a week earlier.

Meagan Monica Burton, 32, was arrested Sunday in connection with a traffic accident in the 1800 block of Gordon Highway. She’s charged with felony homicide by vehicle and driving under the influence of drugs.

The traffic accident claimed the life of 39-year-old Barry Anthony Smith Jr. Smith was homeless, and authorities say he was struck by a westbound vehicle while trying to cross the highway, eventually being pronounced at 3:18 a.m. Sunday.

Also killed in a crash over the weekend was 42-year-old James Allen Griffin Jr.

Authorities say Griffin was driving on Bobby Jones Expressway near Wheeler Road when his car left the roadway and rolled over several times, ejecting Griffin from the vehicle. Griffin was transported to Doctors Hospital of Augusta by EMS, where he was pronounced dead at 2:53 a.m.

Also over the weekend, 2-month-old Mason Lewis died several weeks after being injured in a traffic accident.

On Aug. 14, Lewis was in a vehicle driven by his father when the vehicle he was in was involved in an automobile crash at Kissingbower Road and Milledgeville Road.

Lewis was transported to Wellstar MCG, where he died Saturday at 8:49 p.m.

On Sunday, they say two separate traffic incidents claimed the lives of two people.

Autopsies have been scheduled for all three incidents.

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