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Written by L. Chase
Published November 26, 2022 @ 6:15 PM ET
Charlton County (October 29, 2022) – A Folkston man has been arrested for causing a fatal crash while under the influence of alcohol on GA-40 and mile marker 6.
Police responded to the fatal incident and learned that the at-fault driver, identified as Terry Walters, 34, had smashed into the back of the victim, 33-year-old Tanya Williamson’s car causing severe injuries to which she succumbed.
The victim’s body was still at the scene when police arrived. She was located near her vehicle, which she had been ejected from during the crash. EMS performed lifesaving measures but were unsuccessful. Mrs. Williamson was then pronounced dead at 11:57 p.m. on the scene by Charlton County coroner Blaine Murray. The victim’s husband had been on the phone with Mrs. Williamson when he lost connection. Mr. Williamson used a GPS app to track his wife’s location, leading him to the crash scene. Police at the crash scene then notified him his wife had passed away in the crash.
Walters was taken to Southeast Georgia Health System to be treated for minor injuries. Walters seemed highly intoxicated, as he was described as being extraordinarily belligerent and uncooperative with police and first responders.
Upon speaking more with Walters, police discovered that he was under the influence of alcohol. His breath smelled strongly of an alcoholic beverage; his speech was slurred, his eyes were red and watery, and his behavior was combative as he cursed at officers and medical staff. When asked about drug use, Walters said he takes” all of the legal and illegal drugs.” Walters was verbally placed under arrest and was read the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for suspects 21 and over requesting a blood test. Walters remained silent, and officers took that as a nonverbal refusal to consent to the test.
Police obtained a warrant for Walter’s breath and blood. The warrant was issued through Charlton County and signed by Judge Carter and Sgt. Chernich. The warrant was executed, and the blood kit was sent to the GBI crime lab for testing. Around this time, Walters was being cleared for his minor injuries and ready to be discharged. He was released into police custody and transported to the Charlton County Sheriff’s Office.
Officers determined that an interview with Walters was not feasible at the time of his processing because he was still very intoxicated and kept trying to go to sleep. Warrants were obtained the following day through the Charlton County magistrate’s office for vehicular homicide.
The next day, officers conducted a formal interview with Walters. Walters was now sober, and he was read his Miranda rights. Walters indicated he understood his rights and chose to waive them. Walters told police he had been out the night before, heavily drinking while watching football games on tv at the local bars. He advised that he had consumed approximately 15 drinks that day. Walters said he left Op’s Pizza after leaving the Wee Pub and did not remember the drive home.
The interview concluded, and Walters has been charged with homicide by vehicle in 1st degree-felony, DUI, combination of A1 & A5- misdemeanor, following too closely- misdemeanor, reckless driving-misdemeanor, and driver to exercise due care- misdemeanor. This case is currently pending in court.
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.]
[NARRATIVE #1 on October 30, 2022]
On October 30th, 2022, around 0045 hours I arrived at the scene of fatal crash on GA 40 near miler marker 6 in Charlton County. I was requested by the Charlton County Sheriff’s Office to investigate this crash. The at fault driver at this time was being treated for minor injuries at Southeast Georgia Health System in Camden County.
Deputy Woodman with the Charlton County Sheriff’s Office told me that the driver appeared to be extremely intoxicated as well. This driver was identified as Terry Walters DOB [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/88. Deputy Woodman also said that Mr. Walters was belligerent as well and uncooperative with first responders.
The victim was identified as [REDACTED] DOB [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/89. Her body was still at the scene and was near her vehicle where she was ejected. Charlton County EMS attempted lifesaving measures but were unsuccessful.
The husband Mr. [VICTIM #1] had also responded to the scene, and he was notified by Deputy Woodman of her death prior to my arrival. Mr. [VICTIM #1] had been on the phone with Mrs. [REDACTED] and had lost connection with her. He then tracked her phone to the location using a gps app and it was at the crash scene. Charlton County Coroner [REDACTED] responded to the scene and Mrs. [REDACTED]’s time of death was 2357 hours and was pronounced by Mr. [REDACTED]. Mrs. [REDACTED]’s body was taken to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy.
As I was continuing my on-scene investigation, Sgt Chernich #696 out of GSP Brunswick responded to the hospital to speak with Mr. Walters. Sgt Chernich began to speak with Mr. Walters, and he determined that Mr. Walters was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. He then verbally placed him under arrest for dui and read him the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for Suspects 21 and over (green card) requesting a blood test. Mr. Walters did not answer, and Sgt Chernich took this as a nonverbal refusal. Sgt Chernich then began the process to apply for a search warrant for blood through Camden County Magistrate Court.
While at the hospital, Officer Brad Todd who is a security officer with the hospital overheard this incident. He then attempted to assist and contacted the Charlton County Magistrate Judge McMillan for the warrant. Judge McMillan then contacted Assistant Judge Timmy Carter. Judge Carter then contacted and told Sgt Chernich that the warrant would be issued through Charlton County.
Sgt Chernich applied for the warrant and the warrant was signed by Judge Carter and by me at the crash scene. The warrant was then executed by Sgt Chernich, and the blood kit was sent to the GBI Crime Lab for testing. Around this time, the hospital was clearing Mr. Walters and about to discharge him from the er. Mr. Walters was transported to the Charlton County Sheriff’s Office by Charlton County Jailers after being discharged.
Photographs of the crash scene was taken by me and TFC Rigby #316 assisted in marking the scene. Sgt Cooper #660 also responded to assist in the investigation. TFC Brown #304 was also contacted by me to notify him of this crash due to him being on SCRT (Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team).
Warrants were obtained by me the following day through Charlton County Magistrate Court for vehicle homicide. I was at the jail when Mr. Walters arrived. Mr. Walters kept trying to sleep and he appeared to be heavily intoxicated. A interview was not feasible at this time.
The next day I conducted a formal interview at the Charlton County Sheriff’s Office’s interview room. Mr. Walters at this time was sober and I read him his Miranda Rights. He understood them and waived them. Mr. Walters told me he had been consuming alcoholic beverages heavily the previous night while watching football games on tv at the bars. He told me he had left Ops Pizza after leaving The Wee Pub and did not remember the drive home and consumed around “15 drinks” the entire day. This interview was recorded by video and audio as well.
This investigation has been turned over to SCRT Team I (SCRTI-080-22). Both Mr. Walters and Mrs. [REDACTED]’s cellphones has been turned over to SCRT as well as the vehicle for further inspection.
Sgt Chernich’s supplement report is also attached.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on October 30, 2022]
On Sunday, October 30, 2022, at approximately 0105 hours, I was dispatched to the Southeast Georgia Health System Camden Campus ER to investigate a driver involved in a fatal crash that Post 22 Waycross Troopers were investigating.
The driver was identified by his Georgia driver’s license as Terry Lenon Walters. The crash occurred on Georgia 40 around mile marker 6 in Charlton County. While en route, I was brief by investigating Troopers. I was advised Mr. Walters’ vehicle struck the rear of another, causing fatal injuries to the driver of the other vehicle. I was advised Mr. Walters was suspected to be under the influence. I was also advised Mr. Walters had tried to leave the hospital as well.
When I arrived at the ER, I was advised by Troop I Communications that Mr. Walters was being disorderly. I contacted him in a patient room and observed he was laying in a stretcher. Law enforcement units from SGHS, St. Mary’s Police Department, and the Camden County Sheriff’s Office responded to the hospital to assist.
While speaking with Mr. Walters, I smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath. I also noticed his speech appeared to be slurred at times and that his eyes were extremely bloodshot and watery. Mr. Walters was not very cooperative as I inquired about the crash and spoke with him. When I asked Mr. Walters about drug use, he advised he takes all the legal and illegal drugs.
I attempted to administer the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test on Mr. Walters. However, he would not follow the stimulus, and I discontinued the test. Mr. Walters did voluntarily provide a breath sample on my GBI certified PBT. The breath sample had to be manually obtained due to low breath volume and was positive for the presence of alcohol.
Based on the nature of the crash, my observations, and training, I informed Mr. Walters he was being charged with driving under the influence. I immediately read Mr. Walters the green Georgia Implied Consent Notice for Suspects Age 21 or Over and requested a blood test. Mr. Walters was unable to provide a “yes” or “no” answer and I noted a non-verbal refusal.
Due to the nature of the crash and Mr. Walters’ being under the influence, a search warrant was secured through the Charlton County Magistrate Court. Once signed, the search warrant was served in Mr. Walters’ room. Phlebotomist [REDACTED] administered the blood draw, drawing to vials of blood from Mr. Walters right arm.
Mr. Walters was released to the Charlton County Sheriff’s Office to be transported to the Charlton County Jail. A copy of the warrant was left at the SGHS-Camden Hospital.
[End of Narrative]
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