Written by: E. George
Published May 1, 2024 @ 9:40 PM ET
GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. – A woman is facing multiple charges after allegedly fatally striking a pedestrian with her vehicle and fleeing the scene. The incident occurred with her 11-year-old daughter in the rear passenger seat.
Law enforcement discovered vehicle debris at the crash site that contained the VIN, which they traced to Stacie Michelle Weston‘s residence in Brunswick. Weston confessed to smoking a “blunt” of marijuana before the crash, and later blood tests confirmed it.
At approximately 8:13 PM on Sunday, November 5, 2023, a Georgia State Patrol trooper responded to a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian on Altama Avenue near 1st Street. Brunswick Police officers were already on scene, and EMS had transported the 60-year-old male victim to the hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Medical staff explained that John Ardell Ozell had sustained a broken arm and wrist and injuries to his head and chest.
At the scene, authorities noted vehicle debris and blood in the roadway, both north and south of the railroad tracks, south of the Parkwood Drive and 1st Street intersection. Troopers and Glynn County Police officers traveled to Weston’s home and observed the damaged silver 2016 Hyundai Sonata in the driveway, missing the pieces found in the roadway.
A trooper observed what appeared to be blood and two handprints on the hood.
They spoke with Weston, who said she “felt something go boom,” and her bumper “cracked” when she traveled over the train tracks. She admitted to not checking her vehicle for any damage.
A trooper noted that they had not disclosed information regarding train tracks, so she had “correctly identified the crash location as having train tracks on her own volition.” She also stated, “When I hit the thing…”, then quickly restated, “I mean, when I went over the train tracks…”
She said she figured her “previously cracked” bumper had fallen off and that she had driven over it. She added that she told her mother she had run over her bumper when she arrived home.
Weston added that her daughter stated, “Oh my God – what was that?” at the time of the crash. After they informed her that she had struck someone with her vehicle, she said she did not remember seeing anyone.
They conducted a field sobriety test and transported her to Southeast Georgia Health Hospital for a blood draw and medical clearance before delivering her to the Glynn County Detention Center.
Ozell’s daughter and his girlfriend were notified of his passing.
The investigation was turned over to the Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team, and blood samples from Weston and Orzell were sent to the GBI Crime Lab in Pooler for testing. On November 7, 2023, a Glynn County Sheriff’s deputy obtained two blood swab samples from Weston’s vehicle at the towing shop.
Weston faces charges of driving under the influence of drugs, felony vehicular homicide – leaving the scene, hit and run resulting in death, and endangering a child by driving under the influence of drugs.
The Glynn County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in this investigation. This case is pending in court.