How crash killed boy on 8th birthday: Deputies release timeline
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - We’re learning more about a crash on Peach Orchard Road that killed a second-grader on his eighth birthday, with deputies releasing a second-by-second timeline of how it happened.
The driver of a pickup that collided with a car carrying Hephzibah Elementary student Camden Poole was found at fault in Monday’s crash, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
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The crash happened around 1:04 p.m. Monday at Peach Orchard and Tobacco roads, according to deputies.
According to the crash report, a 2002 pickup was traveling south on Peach Orchard Road toward Tobacco Road, while a 2008 Hyundai Elantra carrying Poole was traveling north on Peach Orchard Road in the left-turn lane.
The driver of the pickup stated he was following the car in front of him, turning left.
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According to the report, the driver of the Elantra stated that her side of the road had a green light. She said that as she approached the intersection, the traffic light changed to yellow and she had time to make it through.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office on Friday released a video of the accident as well as a second-by-second description of what it shows.
News 12 is not airing or posting the video because of its disturbing nature.
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However, here’s a description from deputies:
- The at-fault vehicle (a 2002 pickup) was at a stop light facing south on Peach Orchard Road at Tobacco Road in the left-turn lane, while the car carrying Poole (a Nissan Elantra) was traveling north on Peach Orchard Road at Tobacco Road in the left lane.
- Northbound and southbound traffic on Peach Orchard Road had the green light.
- The pickup was the fourth vehicle stopped in line in the left-turn lane.
- The first vehicle, a black SUV in the left-turn lane, began its left turn at a green light.
- Four seconds later, the second vehicle in line, a blue car, turned left on a green light.
- Two seconds later, the third vehicle in line, a white car, began its left turn at a yellow light.
- Three seconds later. both vehicles involved in the crash had crossed the stop bar at a yellow light.
- One second later, both vehicles crossed the stop bar, and the traffic light was red.
- As the pickup initiated its left turn, the right front of the pickup crashed into the front of the Elantra.
Deputies found the pickup driver was at fault for failure to yield while turning left.
That driver, a 49-year-old man from Waynesboro, has been arrested, according to authorities. He is charged with misdemeanor homicide by vehicle and failure to yield while turning left, according to authorities.
In keeping with News 12′s policy of generally not naming suspects in misdemeanors, we are not reporting the name of the driver.
The video also shows that the crash could have easily been more deadly.
A pedestrian at the intersection scrambled out of the way just in time to avoid being hit by one of the vehicles.
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