After more than nine months, homicide charges were filed this week against a driver who caused the death of a Demorest woman Jan. 31.
Rylee Wayne Higgins, 20, of Cleveland was arrested Nov. 3 on charges of hands free, failure to maintain lane and second-degree homicide by vehicle.
The victim was 77-year-old Sandra Mulkey, the wife of former Habersham County Commissioner Lee Mulkey.
Sandra was driving north on the highway toward Old Cannon Bridge Road, while a Ford F150 driven by Higgins was traveling south just after 5 p.m. on that Monday evening.
“The accused did have actual control of a vehicle southbound on Georgia 105,” the warrant reads. “The accused became distracted and his vehicle crossed a double yellow line, striking a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction head on. The crash resulted in the death of another.”
There were no adverse weather conditions reported at the time of the crash.
In Georgia, second-degree vehicular homicide is considered a misdemeanor, while first-degree vehicular manslaughter is considered a felony. The misdemeanor charge carries fewer penalties than a felony charge; however, both can result in fines, loss of a driver’s license, probation, parole or jail or prison time.
The misdemeanor charge carries only a $1,000 fine and a possible 12 months in jail if convicted.