A Saturday night of high-speed showing off on a quiet Albany street ended in tragedy, leaving a man and a 4-year-old child dead and several others hurt, according to police. Investigators say a car believed to be involved in an illegal drag race lost control in a residential block and slammed into multiple other vehicles. Two drivers have been arrested and charged in connection with the crash.
What police say
According to WALB, the crash happened around 9:41 p.m. Saturday in the 1900 block of Krug Street, when a vehicle racing in the area lost control and hit a group of vehicles. Video from the scene shows multiple American muscle cars being towed away afterward, including three Dodge Challengers and a Ford Mustang, officials told reporters.
Arrests and charges
Local reporting identified the driver of the car that lost control as 24-year-old Brandon King and said another participant, 25-year-old Jacob Daniels Jr., initially left the scene before returning and being taken into custody, as reported by Local 12. Court and booking records cited in local coverage show both men face two counts of homicide by vehicle in the first degree, along with reckless driving and racing on the highway or exhibition of speed or acceleration. Bond for each suspect was listed in jail records at $1,700 per person.
Victims and hospital
Authorities identified one adult victim as 26-year-old Rickey Thomas and said a 4-year-old child also died from their injuries, WALB reported. Two other people suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital for treatment. The Albany Police Department’s Traffic Unit is leading the probe and has said it will release more information as it becomes available.
Legal consequences under Georgia law
Homicide by vehicle in the first degree is a felony under Georgia law and can bring a multi-year prison sentence. O.C.G.A. § 40-6-393, as summarized in state code resources, shows that first-degree homicide by vehicle convictions generally carry prison terms that can range from about three to 15 years, depending on the subsection and the circumstances. Prosecutors can seek additional charges based on evidence the Traffic Unit develops during its investigation.
Investigation and community reaction
Local coverage shows neighbors were shaken by the deadly crash and some called for tougher enforcement on illegal street racing, as reports from Local 12 show. Police have asked anyone who filmed the incident or has information about the race or the crash to contact the Traffic Unit, and officials say they plan to provide further updates as the investigation moves forward.
