Jasper Teen Is Killed in Newton

Kerri Mincy, a junior at Jasper County High School, was killed Sunday when a piece of heavy equipment turned over on her at Stanton Srpings, a planned community under development in neighboring Newton County.

Lt. Bill Watterson with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office said that the 911 center received a call at 5:30 p.m. Sunday saying there had been an accident and a girl was crushed by a piece of equipment.

Miss Mincy was deceased when emergency officials arrived, said Lt. Watterson.

He said that Kyle Blake Holland, 17, of Social Circle was driving the Kawasaki rubber tire scissor tractor when it turned over. He is charged with involuntary manslaughter, felony theft by taking, and trespassing.

Lt. Watterson said that several subjects came onto the property riding 4-wheelers, and somehow had keys to start the heavy equipment. Two other large pieces of equipment, a large Komatsu dump truck M330000 and a Caterpillar road grader, were also moved, he said. The equipment belonged to Miller Grading of Covington.

Lt. Waterson said the site has long been plagued with people trespassing, riding 4-wheelers and vandalizing the site.

Also arrested Sunday were Tony Joe Burnett, 19, of Monticello; Cody Lee Smith, 17, of Covington and Jeff Cantrell, 18, of Newborn. They were each charged with felony theft by taking and trespassing. All four subjects are free on bond this week.

Funeral arrangements for Miss Mincy and a full obituary are included in the obituaries.