Third Child Dies From Injuries Sustained in DeKalb Crash Caused by Suspected Drag Racing

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A third child has died of injuries he sustained in an April 12 accident in DeKalb County that police believe was caused by an illegal drag race.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Jaylen Coleman, 6, died on Saturday; his siblings Jordan Coleman 4, and Lauren Coleman, 3 died in the days following the wreck. Their mother, Cazhara Lovett, received non life-threatening injuries.

According to WSB-TV, Lovett’s Chrysler Sebring was attempting to make a turn off ofMoreland Avenue onto Constitution Road when it was plowed into by a Chevrolet Monte Carlo traveling more than 100 mph. One of the children was thrown from the vehicle and landed down an embankment.

Police told the AJC that they suspect the Monte Carlo and a Lexus which was also involved in the accident were drag racing at the time of the wreck. The drivers of the two vehicles have been identified as James G. Benford and Melanie Putnam. Both have been charged with first degree vehicular homicide and reckless driving.

A DeKalb County judge has set Benford’s bail at $300,000, while Putnam’s bail was set at $175,000, the AJC said. Benford’s bail was higher because of his history of traffic offenses, including two speeding tickets.