Driver Charged with Vehicular Homicide in Georgia After Being Accused of Causing Wreck

George Cambi, a teenager from Austell, was arrested in relation to a car wreck that resulted in the death of two men. He is facing the following charges:

• Vehicular Homicide in Georgia
• Reckless Driving in Georgia
• Racing in Georgia

He is being held without bond. According to reports, Cambi was racing another vehicle before he crashed into the other car. As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I will outline the offense of vehicular homicide in today's post so as to provide a clearer understanding of the law in Georgia.

Vehicular Homicide in Georgia

The Georgia Code in O.C.G.A. §40-6-393 outlines vehicular homicide in Georgia by separating the offense into two degrees.

First-degree vehicular homicide occurs when, without malice aforethought, a death is caused by the person either unlawfully passing a school bus, reckless driving, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, or leaving the scene of the accident. 

Second-degree vehicular homicide occurs when death results due to a violation of any other statute other than the ones specified for homicide in the first degree. 

First and second degree vehicular homicide are treated very differently regarding consequence. Second-degree vehicular homicide is classified as a misdemeanor. Conviction of a misdemeanor vehicular homicide charge may warrant a sentence from a Georgia judge up to one year. An example of how this can happen is a death as a result of:

• Speeding in Georgia
• Following Too Closely in Georgia
• Failure to Maintain Lane in Georgia, etc.

First-degree vehicular homicide is classified as a felony. Conviction of a felony-grade vehicular homicide may warrant up to 15 years in prison. An example of how this can happen is a death as a result of:

• DUI in Georgia
• Reckless Driving in Georgia
• Unlawful Passing of a School Bus in Georgia
• Fleeing or attempting to Elude a Police Officer in Georgia
• Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Georgia

Practice Note

Vehicular homicide is one of the most serious offenses that anyone can face in the Georgia legal system. As demonstrated by the law above, vehicular homicide charges may be considered either a felony or a misdemeanor depending on the facts surrounding the particular case.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a serious traffic violation, contact our offices today. A Georgia DUI Attorney can help you today.