3-year old Cleveland boy killed while standing in grocery store parking lot
A Cleveland man is charged with DUI and vehicular homicide in connection with a parking lot accident that killed a 3-year old boy Tuesday.
The Georgia State Patrol says 36-year old James Holcomb was arrested and charged in the death of Easton Cain. The Cleveland preschooler died after he was pinned between the pickup driven by Holcomb and an SUV.
READ: Grief counseling offered in wake of parking lot tragedy
The accident happened around 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Ingles on the Helen Highway.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, Cain was standing at the back of an unoccupied 2012 Ford Explorer when Holcomb’s Chevrolet Avalanche ran into him.
TFC Jeremy Allison of the Troup B Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT) told WRWH Radio the Avalanche was parked in the parking lot between two lanes just before the accident happened. “The driver of the truck was slumped over and, according to witnesses, he woke up, put the vehicle in drive and just drove forward,” Allison said.
The impact drove the Ford Explorer into a Ford F-250 pickup truck parked nearby. Cain was pinned between the Avalanche and Explorer. A Life Flight helicopter was called to the scene but was not used. Cain was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville by ambulance.
Holcomb was not injured in the crash. He was arrested and charged with first degree vehicular homicide, DUI, reckless driving, and no insurance.
Community responds to tragedy
Grief and support services will be available to the public from 9-11 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. Wednesday at the Cleveland Worship Center located at 529 East Kytle Street, Cleveland, GA.
An online fundraiser has been set up to help the family. To donate, click on the image to the right or visit https://www.gofundme.com/easton-cain.
