DUI Suspect Leads Police on Chase in Downtown Atlanta: One Person Left Dead

A man is dead after a DUI suspect fled Georgia law enforcement officers in a car chase in downtown Atlanta. 

According to Georgia State Patrol, Kahre Williams, age 34, from Union City was the driver of a black Dodge Challenger that was headed in the wrong direction on the road. Williams pulled out in front of a trooper on Spring Street near 5th Street at approximately 3:40 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2019.

When the officer attempted to stop the car, Williams took a sudden U-turn and drove away quickly. Police quickly followed in pursuit. Williams then drove south on Spring Street at a high rate of speed. He then exited onto the Downtown Connector south. Williams then struck two other vehicles: a silver Nissan Altima and a red Ford Expedition. 

After striking the two vehicles, Williams bailed from his own car and attempted to flee on foot. He did not get far and was soon taken into custody by two troopers. Williams did not suffer any injuries. However, Juan Gispert, age 28, was killed in the crash. Five people were in the Ford Expedition with Gispert, and some were ejected out of the car. Two passengers in the silver Nissan Altima were also injured.

Williams refused a blood test but law enforcement sought a warrant in order to draw it anyway. He now faces charges of:

• second-degree murder,
• vehicular homicide,
• two counts of serious injury,
• felony fleeing, and
• other traffic charges.

When a serious injury or death results from a DUI related accident, the charges can begin to stack up quickly. With the help of an experienced Georgia DUI attorney, you can defend your case to help prevent consecutive sentencing.

What is Consecutive Sentencing?

When a person is in a major accident related to DUI, they are typically charged with many different crimes. When those crimes relate to the death or serious injury of another person, the individual charges can each carry the risk of high fines and prison time.

This is even more alarming if the judge determines to run any sentences consecutively. This means that the judge will "stack" the sentences together so that one runs right after the other. Now, not only do you face serious prison time in one offense, but the sentences could be back to back, leading to an incredibly long sentence you would not face for a single offense of the same kind.

Preventing consecutive sentences is an important part of what a lawyer can do for you. The standards judges use to determine whether to "stack" sentences are legally complex, and may be very difficult to argue on your own or with appointed counsel. With the right legal help at your side, you can effectively argue against consecutive sentencing to prevent as much prison time as possible.

Consult a Georgia DUI Attorney

If you or someone you care about has been arrested for DUI or DUI related charges in the State of Georgia, an experienced Georgia DUI attorney can defend your case and protect your constitutional rights. Contact us today for a free consultation.