A Gainesville man is facing serious charges following a two-vehicle crash Saturday, April 5, on Browns Bridge Road that claimed the lives of two young adults from Cumming.
According to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened just after 11 a.m. near the intersection of Browns Bridge Road and South Smith Road. Investigators say 60-year-old Rafael Garrido was driving a 2024 Nissan Titan westbound when a 2015 Kia Optima, driven by 24-year-old Kegan Thomas, passed him at a high speed.
Authorities say that after the Kia moved into the right lane, Garrido changed to the left lane and began to overtake the vehicle. As he attempted to re-enter the right lane near South Smith Road, police say Garrido’s truck clipped the front of Thomas’ car, sending it off the road. The Kia reportedly struck a utility pole and rolled before crashing into a concrete retaining wall.
Thomas and his front-seat passenger, 22-year-old Ariyana Richards, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their bodies were taken to the Dekalb Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy.
Garrido was arrested Saturday evening and booked into the Hall County Jail. He faces multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree vehicular homicide, two counts of aggressive driving, racing and reckless driving. He remains in custody as the investigation continues.
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