Mt. Airy woman indicted in wreck that killed HCHS student

Habersham Central High School student Carlos Morales of Baldwin was driving this pickup when a Jeep Cherokee driven by Cherrie Pulido of Cornelia crossed into his lane and struck the truck head-on. The 17-year-old Morales died from his injuries. (Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham)

It’s been nearly a year since Carlos Christo Morales was killed in a crash on his way to school last fall. Now, the woman accused of causing that fatal accident has been indicted.

On November 10, the Habersham County Grand Jury indicted Cherrie Marise Pulido on three counts, including first-degree vehicular homicide, driving under the influence (less safe), and failure to maintain lane.

Carlos Morales died two months shy of his 18th birthday.

According to the indictment, on the morning of the fatal accident on November 20, 2019, Pulido drove “while under the combined influence of methamphetamine and amphetamine to the extent that it was less safe for her to drive.”

Morales, a 17-year-old high school senior from Baldwin, died in the crash. His 15-year-old brother and cousin were with him at the time of the accident and survived.

The State Patrol says the then 37-year-old Pulido was traveling south on Camp Creek Road in a black 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee when she crossed the centerline into the northbound lane. The Cherokee struck the 2001 Ford F-150 pickup truck Morales was driving, head-on.

Morales was airlifted to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville where he later died. The crash seriously injured Pulido.

Morales would have graduated from Habersham Central High School this year.