Georgia Man Facing Second Degree Vehicular Homicide Charges After Allegedly Causing Death of Motorcyclist Earlier This Month

William Bartula is facing a slew of charges after allegedly causing a crash earlier this month that resulted in the death of motorcyclist, William Lunsford in Cherokee County. 

Lunsford died from his injuries on August 22nd. 

Bartula was allegedly making a left turn into a store parking lot and failed to yield properly. He has been charged with second-degree vehicular homicide among other traffic violations.

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I am familiar with serious traffic violations such as vehicular homicide in Georgia. In today's post, I will focus on the two different degrees of vehicular homicide according to Georgia law. 

First Degree Vehicular Homicide in Georgia

Georgia law outlines First-Degree Vehicular Homicide in Georgia as:

When a person, 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. O.C.G.A. §40-6-393.

Vehicular homicide in the first-degree is when a death results from any of the following criminal offenses: 

• DUI in Georgia, 
• Reckless Driving in Georgia, 
• Unlawful Passing a School Bus in Georgia, 
• Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer in Georgia, 
• And Hit and Run - Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Georgia.

First-degree vehicular homicide is considered a felony in Georgia, which may include up to three to fifteen years in prison. 

Second Degree Vehicular Homicide in Georgia

Georgia law outlines Second-Degree Vehicular Homicide in Georgia as:

When a death results due to a violation of any other statute other than the ones specified for homicide in the first degree. O.C.G.A. §40-6-393.

Vehicular homicide in the second-degree is when a death results from a violation of basic traffic laws. Basic traffic law violations include but are not limited to: 

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

Second-degree vehicular homicide is considered a misdemeanor in Georgia, which may include up to a year in jail and fines up to $1,000.

If you or a loved one is facing a serious traffic violation such as DUI in Georgia, contact a Georgia DUI Attorney today.