The Georgia State Patrol has charged a Kennesaw man in the deaths of two people who died when he rear-ended their pickup on Ga. 365.
Zachary Darnell Queen, 28, was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant after the May 23 accident near Mud Creek Road in Hall County. A magistrate judge later issued additional warrants against him in connection with the double-fatal crash.
Officials charged Queen with two counts of first-degree vehicular homicide in the deaths of 59-year-old Howard Powell of Demorest and 65-year-old Karen Heath McClure of McDonough. In addition, Troopers charged Queen with DUI drugs, failure to maintain lane, following too closely, speeding, and reckless driving.
According to State Troopers, Queen was traveling at a high rate of speed when his Honda Accord rear-ended the Toyota Tacoma Powell was driving. The Tacoma spun out into the median and overturned multiple times. Powell, who was wearing his seatbelt, was fatally injured on impact. Troopers say McClure was not wearing her seatbelt. She was thrown from the vehicle and killed.
The crash happened around 2:42 p.m. Sunday less than twenty minutes after a State Trooper clocked a silver sedan traveling at 105 mph on Ga. 17 in Stephens County. The officer attempted to stop the car, but it made its way onto Ga. 365 South in Habersham.
“The Trooper lost visual of the vehicle at approximately 1431 hours [2:31 p.m.], turned off all emergency lights, and ended the pursuit,” says Georgia State Patrol Post 7 Commander Donnie Sandler.
Despite the timing and similarities in car color, officials say they still don’t know if Queen is the one who fled from the Trooper. “At this time, it still remains undetermined if both are related,” GSP Cpl. Bronson Taylor of Post 6 in Gainesville tells Now Habersham.
There were no law enforcement vehicles chasing Queen at the time of the accident, according to eyewitnesses.
After striking the Tacoma, the Accord struck a Toyota Tundra. As the Tacoma overturned it threw a tire and wheel, striking a fourth vehicle. None of the other drivers were injured, including Queen.
Investigators initially indicated they did not suspect drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash. As of May 26, Queen remained in the Hall County Detention Center without bail.
