Drunk Driver in Fatal Acworth Collision Gets Prison Time: News Nearby

An Acworth man who killed another person as the result of a drunk driving wreck will spend the rest of the decade behind bars, the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.

Kenneth Lee Chitwood, 49, was behind the wheel of his Chevrolet Silverado just after midnight on Feb. 22 when he slammed into a stationary pickup truck which was parked on a section of Mars Hill Road near Cobb Parkway which is not used for traffic, the DA’s Office said.

The driver of the second truck, James Payton Underwood of Paulding County, was standing next to his vehicle when the accident occurred. Underwood, 50, was knocked to the ground as a result of the collision and was pronounced dead a short time later, leaving behind four children.

According to the DA’s Office, Chitwood’s blood alcohol content at the time of the accident was 0.27, over three times the legal limit.

Chitwood pleaded guilty to DUI and homicide by vehicle on Tuesday and was sentenced to 15 years, with five to be served behind bars and the rest on probation.

“Mr. Underwood’s death was so utterly senseless and preventable,” ADA John Pursley said. “Drinking and driving is never acceptable.”