Hall County investigators say a Gainesville driver who allegedly caused a crash that injured a baby tried to cover his tracks by claiming his car was stolen.
Authorities identified the at-fault driver as 26-year-old Rigoberto Osorio-Colin. Deputies arrested him the morning after the accident that occurred on August 13 on Ga. 60/Queen City Parkway near Aviation Boulevard.
According to the initial investigation, a Hyundai Sonata was traveling south on the parkway with no headlights on when it crashed into a northbound Chevrolet Tahoe that was attempting to turn left. Investigators say the Sonata driver, later identified as Osorio-Coli, ran away on foot.
A five-month-old girl was ejected from the SUV during the crash and suffered visible injuries, officials say. A passing taxi driver drove her and two adults from the SUV to Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Paramedics flew the baby to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for treatment.
A sheriff’s K9 unit attempted to locate the suspect. Approximately an hour after the wreck, a man called police to report a stolen vehicle. According to investigators, the vehicle was the same Hyundai involved in the crash. Deputies responded to the home and met with the caller, later identified as Osorio-Colin. “Further investigation revealed he had been driving the car during the wreck,” an HCSO news release states.
Deputies arrested and charged Osorio-Colin with DUI, reckless driving, hit-and-run, driving while unlicensed or on an expired license, and failure to yield. They also charged him with headlight violations and for failing to immediately report the accident.
Osorio-Colin posted a $15,560 bond and was released from the Hall County Jail on August 21.
The baby has been released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, officials say. The infant’s mother, who was a passenger in the SUV, suffered minor injuries in the accident. Neither driver was hurt.
