The Georgia State Patrol has charged a Toccoa man with first-degree vehicular homicide for a wreck last month in Habersham County. Joseph Lee Austin, 43, was arrested and booked at the Habersham County Detention Center on July 2.
On the afternoon of June 15, troopers say Austin was driving a Ford Mustang convertible south on GA 17 Alternate/Talmadge Drive when he veered into the northbound lane. The Mustang struck a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck head-on. 72-year-old Virginia Allen Ramey of Toccoa was driving the Toyota.
The crash, near Arlo Todd Road, seriously injured the drivers and Austin’s two passengers, John Michael Lumpkin, 20, and Jimmy McDonald, 77, both of Clarkesville.
McDonald died of his injuries on June 16 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.
‘Asleep at the wheel’
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.
