Grand Jury Indicts Drivers

The Grand Jury summoned for February was called back in this month to consider several other indictments.

Wayne Lee Owenby, Jr. and Matthew Boring were both indicted on seven counts:

•Homicide by vehicle in the first degree

•Homicide by vehicle in the first degree

•Hit and run

•Reckless driving

•Racing on highways or streets

•Failure to maintain lane

•Driving on the wrong side of the roadway.

The charges stem from a motor vehicle accident that occurred on Hwy. 212 west on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2022.

The indictment says the two men, “acting together and as parties to the crime, on the 31st day of December 2022…did then and there unlawfully, while driving a motor vehicle, to wit: a Ford F-250 driven by the said Mr. Owenby and a Ford F-450 driven by the said Mr. Boring, on Georgia Highway 212 West, did, without malice aforethought cause the death of Daylan Norwood, a human being, through a violation of O.C.G.A. §40-6-390 to wit:

Reckless Driving, in that they did drive a motor vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons and property, by operating their vehicles on Georgia Highway 212 West after consuming alcoholic beverages over a several hour time period prior to driving the said vehicles, and then the accused did drive their vehicles while racing each other, and Mr. Owenby operating his vehicle on the wrong side of the road, contrary to the laws of the state of Georgia….”

The second indictment reads “…cause an accident which caused the death of Daylan Norwood, a human being, and said accused did leave the scene of said accident in violation of subsection (b) of Code Section §40-6-270 in that the said accused did fail to immediately stop said vehicle at the scene of said accident and did fail to render to any person injured in such accident reasonable assistance, including the transporting, or the making of arrangements for the transporting, of such person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital for medical and surgical treatment, and it being apparent that such treatment was necessary, and where a person, to-wit: the said Daylan Norwood, was injured in said accident, was unconscious, appeared deceased or was unable toe communicate, the accused did fail to make every reasonable effort to ensure that emergency medical services and local law enforcement were contacted for the purpose of reporting the accident and making a request for assistance, said accident being the proximate cause of the injuries sustained by said victim….”

The other charges are generally self explanatory.

Mr. Boring has been out of jail on bond since he was accused in January. Mr. Owenby has not been given a bond. Both men are scheduled to be arraigned May 23. They could go to court on the charges during the criminal trial week in August.

Other persons indicted by the Grand Jury in March included:

•Yoveli Lopez who is charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer and obstruction of an officer.

•Christopher Pruett who is charged with criminal attempt to commit a felony, violation of the computer or electronic pornography and child exploitation prevention act of 2007, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

•Irfan Abdul Quadeer who is charged with fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, driving under the influence (per se), driving under the influence (less safe) (alcohol), and speeding.

•Jason Matthew Ratzel who is charged with criminal trespass/family violence, public indecency, obstruction of an officer (two counts), terroristic threats, violating family violence order, and public drunkenness.

•Ernest D. Redding who is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, driving while license suspended, possession of drug related objects, possession of marijuana, less than an ounce, failure to maintain lane, and no proof of insurance.

•D’Camryn Draines who is charged with fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, speeding, failure to maintain brake lights in good working condition, tag light violation, disregarding traffic control device, no proof of insurance, and lastly, obstruction of an officer, which Gregory Howell and Aniyah Slatin are also charged with.

•Jeovan De Jesus Hernandez who is charged with two counts of burglary in the second degree.

•John Hilley who is charged with fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, obstruction of an officer, operation of unregistered vehicle, failure to maintain lane, and no proof of insurance.

•Frank Jackson who is charged with two counts of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, driving under the influence, speeding, improper passing, failure to maintain lane, driving without a license, failure to yield at stop sign, driving on left side of roadway, and terroristic threats.

•Rodricus Jackson who is charged with insurance fraud, arson in the second degree, and arson of lands in the third degree.