Driver charged in Cobb wreck that killed one man and injured 3

By Mike Morris and Kristi E. Swartz

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The driver of the vehicle involved in a deadly single-car accident in Cobb County Friday morning has been charged with DUI and vehicular homicide, police said.

Herve Hanyurwimfura, 21, will be taken to the Cobb County jail once he leaves Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, police said.

Hanyurwimfura of Roswell has been charged with first degree vehicular homicide and a host of other traffic charges for the wreck that killed one man and injured three, including Hanyurwimfura.

The single-vehicle crash happened just after 2 a.m. on the ramp from I-575 southbound to Chastain Road.

Cobb police Sgt. Dana Pierce told the AJC that Hanyurwimfura, who was behind the wheel of a Honda Accord, drove through through the "gore" area of the ramp, across the ramp's travel lane and down an embankment into trees.

A passenger in the Honda, Lawrence Ogunnowo, 19, of Lawrenceville, died at the scene, Pierce said.

Hanyurwimfura and two other passengers, Franklyn Isibor, 22, of Roswell, and Thierry Damon Hart, 21, of Wilmington, N.C., were injured, Pierce said. He said they were taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital for treatment of injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.

Pierce said alcohol and excessive speed were believed to be contributing factors in the crash.

Police also charged Hanyurwimfura with reckless driving, speeding, failure to maintain lane, driving through a gore, no tags and no seatbelt.

The Chastain Road exit ramp was closed until just after 5:30 a.m.