Milton Woman Sentenced For Car Crash That Killed Woodstock Woman

WOODSTOCK, Ga. — A Milton woman has pleaded guilty and was sentenced to jail for her role in a fatal crash that killed a Woodstock resident in November 2017.

Kendall Elizabeth Texter, 19, of Milton, pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle in the first degree, three counts of reckless driving, two counts of serious injury by vehicle, speeding, improper passing, and possession of marijuana. Judge David Cannon Jr., sentenced Texter to 15 years, with 90-120 days to be served in confinement at the probation detention center. The sentence also included a $1,000 fine and 2,000 hours of community service.

On November 2, 2017, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Texter caused a head-on collision that killed Mary Francis “Fran” Griffin, 64, of Woodstock, according to the Cherokee District Attorney's Office.

The accident occurred in front of a horse farm on East Cherokee Highway in unincorporated Woodstock near Alpha Equestrian Center at 2471 East Cherokee Drive. Griffin was on her way to pick up her grandchild, while Texter was headed home after attending class at Kennesaw State University. Evidence revealed that the defendant was speeding (78 mph in a 45 mph zone) and passing vehicles on the double yellow line in a no-passing zone, officials said.

According to an accident report released by the state agency, a 2010 Ford Fusion driven by Texter was northbound on East Cherokee Drive while a 2015 Ford Focus driven by Griffin was southbound in the same area. The report said Texter failed to stay in her lane and moved into the southbound lane in an effort to pass a vehicle in front of her.

"The roadway is marked with a double yellow line in this area," the investigating trooper wrote in the report.

Griffin's vehicle, which had just traveled over a slightly elevated location, tried to avoid colliding with Texter, but the cars crashed head-on.

Griffin suffered serious internal and external injuries and died nine days after the accident. According to an obituary, she passed away on Nov. 11, 2017, at the age of 64.

During the non-negotiated plea hearing, Assistant District Attorney David Holmes recommended a sentence of 10 years to be served in prison and argued that the loss of life, coupled with the manner of driving, warranted a serious prison sentence.

“This situation was a tragedy; the defendant took an innocent life because of a selfish, needless decision to drive recklessly,” Holmes said. “We hope to deter this sort of driving in Cherokee County. We want all of our citizens to make it home each and every night safely to their families.”

At the plea hearing on May 14, friends and family provided victim impact statements in person and in writing.

Griffin had retired after a career as a paralegal and was enjoying spending time with her husband, two children and four grandchildren. Impact statements commented on her Christian faith, nurturing nature, strength and compassion, and how her death has left a hole in their lives. Griffin was known affectionately at “Granny Fran” because she was always taking care of someone or something.