Marilyn Lyons

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Name:
Lyons, Marilyn

Date of Booking:
 04/01/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
OPERATING W/SUSPENDED LIC – MISD

VEHICULAR HOMICIDE SECOND DEGREE

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

On July 6, 2025, I responded to the area of Hickory Flat Highway and Hickory Road, in reference to a traffic collision. Prior to my arrival, I was informed that the crash was between a 2018 Ford Explorer and a Yamaha motorcycle. The rider of the motorcycle was being transported to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Hospital with serious injuries. I arrived at the location and observed the motorcycle impacting on the passenger side of the Explorer after sliding a short distance.

I began marking the scene, observing multiple scratches in the roadway, along with a skid mark where the motorcycle rider, [VICTIM #1], slid the motorcycle in an attempt to avoid the collision. The video of the collision was obtained from traffic cameras at the intersection and showed the explorer was attempting to turn left from Hickory Road onto Hickory Flat Highway.

The phone of the motorcycle rider, [VICTIM #1], was located at the scene, a blue Samsung phone in a black quad lock case. The phone was secured in the Traffic Enforcement Unit Crash Lab evidence room. On June 7, 2025, I obtained a search warrant (25-SW-000850) to download his phone for potential GPS data to assist in determining the speed that he was traveling. On the same day, I retrieved the cell phone from the evidence room and brought the phone to Inv. Botzong for forensic analysis.

I spoke with the driver of the Explorer, Marilyn Lyons, who stated that she approached the intersection to make a left turn. Her traffic light was green with a flashing yellow turn arrow. There was a line of cars prior to her turn and after the cars passed, she began turning. She stated she saw the group of motorcycles but was unsure how fast they were going. She then stated the motorcycle struck the side of her vehicle.

I then spoke to the witnesses who stated the following:

[VICTIM #1] was leading the ride and began accelerating into the intersection. They observed the Explorer turning left and then saw [VICTIM #1] drop the bike and impact the explorer.

On July 7, 2025, I obtained a search warrant to download the Airbag Control Module data from the Ford Explorer. Unfortunately, the ACM yielded no results. This was done in an attempt to not only show the speed of the Explorer, but to potentially use the Delta V force felt by the Explorer to determine a speed of the motorcycle.

On July 14, 2025, at 6:29 pm, I was contacted by [REDACTED BY AGENCY] at [REDACTED BY AGENCY] hospital stating that [VICTIM #1] passed away. Deputy Robles responded to the hospital and collected photographs of [VICTIM #1].

On July 24, 2025, I was contacted by Investigator Botzong who informed me the GPS download of [VICTIM #1]’s phone was completed. I downloaded this information and observed the GPS points were not in line and the time disparity was too great to provide accurate location.

After observing the on-scene evidence, the statements provided by the witnesses, and the video, I determined Marilyn is at fault for the collision by failing to yield when turning left.

On the morning of July 29, 2025, I met with Marilyn, at her residence with her lawyer on the phone, and issued her two citations. One for Driving While License Revoked and one for Vehicular Homicide in the 2nd Degree. Marilyn signed the citations with no incident and was provided with her copies.

[End of Narrative]

The information below reflects all details available at the time of publication and was obtained directly from the official court database accessible to the public. Court records are subject to change at any time at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors, omissions, or discrepancies within the docket. No information provided should be construed as legal advice or opinion. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Case History:

8/5/25

DEFENSE ENTRY OF APPEARANCE

What this means: David Windcher entered the case as Marilyn Lyons’s defense attorney in Cherokee County Case No. 26M0404.

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8/5/25

DEFENSE CONSOLIDATING MOTIONS

What this means: Marilyn Lyons’s defense team filed a motion to consolidate multiple motions in the case, likely to streamline the legal proceedings.

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3/10/26

ACCUSATION FILED

What this means: The State of Georgia filed formal charges against Marilyn Lyons in Cherokee County. The accusation charged her with vehicular homicide in the second degree (a misdemeanor), failure to yield the right of way while turning left, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.

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3/10/26

STATE RESPONSE TO DISCOVERY

What this means: The prosecution provided discovery materials to the defense — documents, evidence, and information that the State is required to share with Marilyn Lyons’s attorney before trial.

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4/1/26

ARRAIGNMENT

What this means: Marilyn Lyons appeared in Cherokee County court for her arraignment. At this hearing, she was informed of the charges against her and her rights in the case.

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4/1/26

GUILTY PLEA AND SENTENCING — 3 COUNTS

What this means: Marilyn Lyons pleaded guilty to Count 1, homicide by vehicle in the second degree (a misdemeanor). Count 2, failure to yield the right of way while turning left, was merged into Count 1 and did not result in a separate sentence. Marilyn Lyons also pleaded guilty to Count 3, driving with a suspended or revoked license. For Count 1, she was sentenced to 12 months of probation, pay a fine of $1,325.00 and ordered to perform 240 hours of community service. For Count 3, she was sentenced to 12 months of probation and ordered to pay a fine of $710.00.