Speeding Was Factor in DeKalb Teacher's Death: Police

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Photo Credit: DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office

Decatur police believe that the 19-year-old student involved in a fatal accident involving one of his teachers was driving recklessly at the time of the collision.

According to police spokeswoman Lt. Jennifer Ross, 19-year-old Ramiro Pedemonte of Tucker was taken into custody without incident on Thursday and now faces charges of first degree vehicular homicide, serious injury by vehicle and reckless driving for the death of Leah O’Brien, a 33-year-old teacher at Lakeside High School. At the time of the wreck, Pedemonte and his date were traveling to the Lakeside High School prom, a dance at which O’Brien was to chaperon.

Police say that O’Brien was attempting to turn on to eastbound Scott Boulevard from Ridley Circle when she was t-boned by Pedemonte, who was traveling westbound on Scott Boulevard at approximately 100 mph. According to WSB-TV, O’Brien’s 8-year-old daughter Kori is now in a medically-induced coma due to injuries she received in the wreck.

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O’Brien was driving Kori to a soccer game, but was due back at her house to get ready to chaperon at the prom at the Fernbank Museum, WSB-TV said.

A DeKalb County judge set Pedemonte’s bail at $55,00 on Friday, WSB-TV reported. Pedemonte posted bail on Saturday and was released, DeKalb County jail records show.

Jail records add that Pedemonte was arrested in June of 2014 and charged violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act; he posted a $2,500 bail and was released two days after his arrest.