Driver Indicted In Fatal Cherokee County Crash

CANTON, GA -- An Ellijay man has been indicted on charges related to a fatal two-vehicle crash where a passenger was ejected from a truck at a Cherokee County intersection.

A grand jury this week indicted Kenneth Michael Williams on one count each of homicide by vehicle in the first degree, serious injury by vehicle, making a false statement, driving under the influence, no proof of insurance, failure to stop at a stop sign, driving while license is suspended, defective equipment, failure to wear seatbelt, possession of methamphetamine and a recidivist, court records show.

Deputies with the Cherokee Sheriff's Office were dispatched around 3:10 p.m. July 25 to an accident on Upper Bethany Road at Damascus Road near the Pickens County border.

A preliminary investigation reveals a white Ford Ranger driven by Williams failed to yield at an intersection and was hit by an oncoming black Chevrolet Silverado, the sheriff's office said. The driver and occupants of the Silverado -- a man, his wife and their child -- were all properly restrained and were not injured.

However, the Ford Ranger overturned and ejected passengers, Ellijay residents Robert Jett, 26, and Sandra Potts, 37. Both passengers were not wearing seatbelts, Cherokee Sheriff's Office spokesperson Sgt. Marianne Kelley previously told Patch. Potts was transported to the hospital where she later died from the injuries sustained in the crash. Jett suffered non-life threatening injuries.

According to the indictment, Williams, who was 37 at the time of his arrest, is charged with making a false statement by telling deputies that Potts was driving the Ford Ranger when the fatal collision occurred. He's also accused of being under the influence of methamphetamine and driving with defective brakes. The recidivist charge stems from Williams being convicted and sentenced for burglary and two counts of felony theft by taking in 2000 and for child molestation in 1997.

Jail records also show Williams' bond was revoked on Dec. 13 by Cherokee County Superior Court Judge David Cannon Jr. for failure to appear for a hearing on Dec. 7. No date for Williams to be arraignment on the charges has been scheduled.

Photo: Kenneth Michael Williams. Credit: Cherokee Sheriff's Office