A man accused of crashing a Porsche SUV into another car early Monday morning, killing two people and seriously injuring a third, has been arrested on multiple charges, including DUI.
Julio Sanchez, 35, of Ozone Park, New York, was driving a 2017 Porsche Macan westbound on I-285 when he rear-ended a 2018 Ford Focus around 3:15 a.m., according to a DeKalb County police report obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Before Sanchez was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital with minor injuries, a responding DeKalb officer said he smelled of alcohol while he was being treated in the ambulance, the report said. The officer requested another unit to investigate Sanchez for DUI at the hospital. Speed was also thought to be a factor in the crash, police spokeswoman Michaela Vincent previously told the AJC.
Sanchez was arrested Tuesday and booked into the DeKalb jail on six charges: homicide by vehicle, hit-and-run resulting in death, hit-and-run, DUI, reckless driving and following too closely. He is being held without bond.
Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC
Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC
The crash killed the driver of the Focus, 45-year-old Latrece Morris of Snellville, and one of her two passengers, the report said. According to a GoFundMe page created in support of one of Morris’ sons, she was driving for Uber at the time of the crash.
Althia and Peter McFarlane, both of Conyers, were sitting together in the back seat of Morris’ car. Althia McFarlane, 50, was killed, while 57-year-old Peter McFarlane was taken to Grady with serious injuries. Police have not provided an update on his status.
Morris was a full-time para-professional with Gwinnett County Public Schools and worked part-time as a case manager with Covenant Youth Empowerment, according to her LinkedIn profile. Before being hired full time, she worked as a substitute teacher in the Gwinnett school system for a year and a half. In August, Morris graduated from Georgia Gwinnett College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Morris’ son, Deric Morris Jr., shared some of his grief on social media Tuesday.
“We always knew mom was going to find a way, and she lost her life sacrificing for our family,” he said in an Instagram video. “Sacrificing for me and my brothers, trying to make sure we were good.”
“She always preached the Gospel,” he continued. “No matter how she did it, she got the word out. Mama, your wisdom lives on. I will forever remember you.”
Staff members from Springdale Preparatory School, from which Deric Morris Jr. graduated earlier this year, created a GoFundMe page to assist the 19-year-old with his school and living expenses.
“His mother was truly a provider, through her love, spirituality, and through her hard work to financially support her sons,” the fundraising page said. “We know her memory will be a blessing, and hope the funds raised though this effort will provide a small relief to Deric and his family during this difficult time.”
A vigil to honor Latrece Morris was held Wednesday night in Doraville.
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
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