Woman Killed While Attempting to Help Crash Victim Suspected of DUI

Kayli Guthrie, age 20, was killed in the early morning hours of Sunday, March 3, 2019, after she stopped to check on another driver who had driven into the median wall. Her death occurred on Interstate 85 northbound near Pleasant Hill Road. Guthrie, a psychology student at Georgia Gwinnett College, died at the scene of the accident. 

According to the police investigation, Elvester Sykes, age 64, of Lawrenceville, GA crashed his Ford Explorer into the median wall at around 1 a.m. on that Sunday. Guthrie saw the crash and stopped to check on him.

Jonathan Gresham, age 27, was at that same time driving a Ford Fusion and approached the scene of the accident. He tried to brake before hitting Syke's vehicle, but instead, he ran straight into Guthrie. Gresham then left the scene of the accident and it was not until about half a mile later that he called 911, according to the police report.

Sykes was transported to a local hospital for treatment. It was discovered that he also was under the influence, and he now faces a charge of DUI-less safe for his initial traffic accident.

Gresham is charged with

• driving under the influence-less safe;
• first-degree vehicular homicide;
• failure to maintain lane; and
• reckless driving.

If you or someone you care about has been arrested for a suspected DUI, and the many other charges that can come with it, you need an experienced Cherokee County DUI attorney to defend your case and protect your rights.

Reckless Driving

A reduction of your charges from driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs to reckless driving is considered a major win. A reduction to a reckless driving charge will protect you from a license suspension and a permanent criminal record. For many clients accused of DUI, this is considered a complete victory.

Under Georgia law, reckless driving is codified as follows: O.C.G.A. 40-6-390

(a) Any person who drives any vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property commits the offense of reckless driving.

(b) Every person convicted of reckless driving shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months, or by both such fine and imprisonment, provided that no provision of this Code section shall be construed so as to deprive the court imposing the sentence of the power given by law to stay or suspend the execution of such sentence or to place the defendant on probation.

While these charges can still be serious, they are less serious than the lasting impact a DUI charge can present. This is especially true when it comes to the potential impact on your ability to drive.

Consult an Experienced Cherokee County DUI Attorney

A DUI charge does not have to mean a permanent criminal record in every case. A plea to reckless driving or even a complete dismissal of all charges is sometimes possible. An experienced Cherokee County DUI attorney can defend your case and protect your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation.