Driver charged after truck goes airborne, kills 1

By Larry Hartstein

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Valdosta man has been charged with vehicular homicide in a Sunday afternoon crash that killed a 19-year-old from Suwanee, Gwinnett County police said.

The wreck, which happened about 3:15 p.m. near Lawrenceville, killed Najee E. Griffin. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Police said James C. Griffin (no relation), 23, of Valdosta was southbound on Lawrenceville Suwanee Road near Taylor Road when his Chevrolet Silverado swerved between lanes. The pickup "eventually became airborne as it crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic and landed on [Najee Griffin's Toyota Camry]," said Cpl. Edwin Ritter, a police spokesman.

The Silverado continued southbound and struck a utility pole, but James Griffin and his passenger suffered only minor injuries, police said.

In addition to vehicular homicide, James Griffin was charged with reckless driving and failure to maintain lane. The accident remains under investigation, and more charges could be filed, Ritter said.