Man Who Fatally Hit Grandmother During Police Chase Indicted: DeKalb Prosecutors

DECATUR, GA — An 18-year-old Fairburn man has been indicted after prosecutors say he fatally hit a grandmother and injured her grandson during a high-speed chase near a Decatur middle school.

A grand jury on Thursday indicted Joseph Odeh in connection with the April 16 death of Antionette Catchings, 56, according to the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office.

Subscribe

Catchings was walking her 14-year-old grandson home from school when they were both hit by a silver Mitsubishi Mirage driven by Odeh, prosecutors said.

Before then, DeKalb County Police attempted to pull over Odeh, who was accused of driving a stolen silver Mitsubishi Mirage. He was accused of fleeing the scene.

During the high-speed police chase, prosecutors said Odeh lost control of the car and hit Catchings and her grandson near the middle school at the intersection of Covington Highway and Miller Road.

Odeh was indicted on charges of murder, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, first-degree homicide by vehicle, serious injury by vehicle, theft by receiving stolen property, reckless driving and driving without a valid license, prosecutors said.

A superior court judge will be assigned the case. After an arraignment is scheduled, a trial date may be set.