A man accused of driving drunk and rear-ending a young North Georgia family’s vehicle, killing a 2-year-old boy and injuring his parents, faces 15 charges and was denied bond Tuesday, authorities said.
Hunter Ethan Elliott, 23, was charged with first-degree vehicular homicide, felony hit-and-run, DUI and two counts of serious injury by vehicle among his litany of charges, according to the Georgia State Patrol. The Sunday night wreck in Blairsville killed Cohen Zayne Bryson, AJC.com previously reported.
RELATED: 2-year-old killed, parents injured after crash with suspected DUI driver, GSP says
Between 10:30 and 11 p.m., Elliott was driving his Ford Super Duty truck toward the intersection of Ga. 2 and Blue Ridge Drive, GSP said. A Ford Escape was sitting at the intersection.
The toddler was in the back seat of the Escape. His father, 24-year-old Joshua Bryson, was driving, and his mother, 23-year-old Santana Kelley, was in the front passenger seat.
The family, who are from Rome, were rear-ended by the truck, killing the 2-year-old and sending the parents to a hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn., GSP said.
Kelley is 25 weeks pregnant, according to a GoFundMe page, and Joshua Bryson suffered several broken bones. As of Tuesday afternoon, the page had raised more than $6,700.
Elliott was also injured in the crash but refused medical treatment, GSP said.
The other charges Elliott faces include counts of driving on a suspended license, distracted driving, open container, improper exhaust system, following too closely, reckless driving, obstruction and operating a vehicle with altered suspension and two counts of glazing of windows, GSP said.
He was booked into the Fannin County jail, where he remains, according to the sheriff’s office.
In other news:
About the Author