By Joe Johnson
A Barrow County woman has been charged with vehicular homicide in connection with the death last year of an off-duty paramedic.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, National EMS paramedic Jennifer Patrick was driving home from work on Ga. Highway 316 the night of Sept. 18 when her car was struck head-on by a vehicle operated by 43-year-old Megan Elizabeth Kingston, who at the time lived in Athens.
Officials said that Kingston’s vehicle was driving the wrong way on the divided highway, near Dials Mill Road in Oconee County.
After Kingston was released from an extended hospitalization, she relocated to Statham.
She was arrested Tuesday on warrants charging her with first-degree homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence of multiple substances, possession of an open container of alcohol in a vehicle, driving on the wrong side of the road, and reckless driving.
Patrick, 43, had worked full-time as a paramedic for National EMS in Athens and part time for the Elbert County EMS.
“Jennifer has served as a dedicated EMS professional for over eight years and has always been committed to providing the best care for her patients during their greatest time of need,” National EMS said in a statement released after the paramedic’s death.