Prosecutor files vehicular homicide charge against motorist who killed elderly pedestrian in downtown Athens

Heather Paige Turner

By Joe Johnson

A woman has been formally charged with vehicular homicide for killing an elderly man in a pedestrian crosswalk four months ago.

Heather Paige Turner 31, of Hoschton is charged with second-degree homicide by vehicle and two counts of failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, according to an accusation filed in State Court by Athens-Clarke County Solicitor General Will Fleenor on May 2nd.

Turner had been arrested on the night of January 17th after her SUV plowed into two pedestrians in a marked crosswalk on Thomas Street in front of the Classic Center, killing 78-year-old Guy Jones and injuring 18-year-old Sean Helms. Both victims were from Woodstock.

According to an investigation by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, the victims had checked for traffic in both directions and activated a flashing caution light to warn motorists that they were about to cross.

Turner has been free since posting $1,300 cash bail two days after her arrest.

She pleaded not guilty to all charges during a May 5th arraignment.