GSP charges Toccoa Man with First-Degree Vehicular Homicide

WNEG reports that a Toccoa man has been charged with first-degree vehicular homicide for a wreck that happened in Habersham County in June.  The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) arrested and charged 43-year-old Joseph Lee Austin on July 2.  According to a report released by the GSP, Austin was driving a Ford Mustang convertible south on GA-17 Alternate/Talmadge Drive, on June 15, when he veered into the northbound lane.  The Mustang struck a Toyota Tacoma pickup head-on. The Tacoma was driven by 72-year-old Toccoa resident Virginia Allen Ramey.  Both drivers were seriously injured in the crash along with Austin’s two passengers, 20-year-old John Michael Lumpkin and 77-year-old Jimmy McDonald, both of Clarkesville.  McDonald succumbed to his injuries on June 16, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.  A witness told troopers she observed the Mustang weaving in and out of both lanes of the highway approximately two miles north of where the crash happened. According to the GSP report, Lumpkin told troopers Austin “fell asleep at the wheel.” He tried to wake him but couldn’t.  The impact of the crash threw McDonald from the backseat of the vehicle to the front. He was not wearing a seatbelt.  Troopers suspected Austin of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.  He allegedly had methamphetamine and less than an ounce of marijuana in his possession at the time of the wreck.  In addition to vehicular homicide and drug possession charges, troopers obtained warrants against Austin for DUI, three counts of serious injury by vehicle, driving on the wrong side of the road, defective tires, and reckless driving.  A judge set his bond at $92,950.