Driver Charged in Fatal Pedestrian Accident on Lawrenceville Hwy
The driver, Sharon Mitchell-Golden of Stone Mountain has been charged in the accident that killed a Lawrenceville, Ga. teen.
Photos
Gwinnett County Police say the driver involved in the fatal pedestrian accident on Lawrenceville Highway Wednesday morning has now been charged.
In a release, GCPD Cpl. Jake Smith said Sharon Mitchell-Golden, 49, of Stone Mountain, turned herself in to police Thursday. Mitchell-Golden has been charged with second degree vehicular homicide, a misdemeanor, and driving more than 300 feet in the center turn lane.
Mitchell-Golden reportedly struck 17 year old Dakota M. Waters of Lawrenceville as he tried to cross Lawrenceville Highway between Hamilton Road and James Road at around 7:30am. Waters was reportedly standing in the center lane as Mitchell-Golden was unable to stop her 2007 Land Rover and hit the teen. Waters was taken to Gwinnett Medical Center in critical condition and later died.
Police do not currently know if Waters was a student at a local school or where he was headed.
This accident occurred yards from where R&B singer and actress Natina Reed was also killed while trying to cross the multi-lane highway.
A. Totten
2:06 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Geez! Almost the same stop where the member of Blaque was killed in the darkness. (already a memorial on the side of the road)
Vanzetta Evans
2:09 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Yes, that's correct. I just drove by that spot the other night. Very dark over there.
Jonny Mustang
4:37 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Yes but she was walking along side the road and this person was standing in the turn lane, crossing the road 50% at a time. Russian roulette that is.
Jonny Mustang
4:34 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Well this is very unfortunate and it was caused by careless driving and may have been affected by the weather (likely) To all people that stand out in the turn lane while crossing the street, please know there are some very bad drivers, add to the fact that visibility is down because of the weather. Please don't stand in the middle of the road, try to wait it out until you know you can cross as safely as possible.
Jonny Mustang
4:36 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
And another thing. I know this woman feels terrible. This woman could have been an excellent driver but wasn't able to see the teen in time or she could have been a careless dangerous driver. Either way, the result is the same. Be safe everyone.
shari green
5:17 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I am not surprised. In Gwinnett County, if you're not a motorist, you're SOL when it comes to getting around. In addition to a lousy public transportation system, there are few sidewalks, crosswalks and street lights for the safety of pedestrians. The revenue produced by all the surveillance cameras being installed recently at major intersections to catch drivers who run red lights and who are texting should be used to make the streets safer for pedestrians!
Keisha Hall
7:26 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
That's sad on both sides. That area is wayyy too dangerous to be crossing the street...especially in this weather.
Ruth Coney
1:35 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
I agree with Shari Green. We need more crosswalks & actually, pedestrian bridges over busy highways. It's not safe to cross a divided highway by standing in the turn lane, but in some cases the pedestrian would have to go almost half a mile out of his/her way to cross at a legal crosswalk.
Ruth Coney
1:40 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Also, I feel sorry for the driver. People don't expect someone to be in a turn lane. I think she was probably NOT speeding since most drivers are slowing down before they make a turn. She must be devastated. I'm praying for her.