Gwinnett County woman charged after fatal wreck

By Kristi E. Swartz

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Grayson woman remains in Gwinnett County Jail after allegedly causing a wreck that led to the death of a 3-year-old.

Police have charged Alicia Tubman with a number of counts, including homicide by vehicle and driving under the influence, after she lost control of the vehicle she was driving, causing it to crash and catch fire.

Police were able to get Tubman, 26, out of the car. Three-year-old Jayla Cook, also of Grayson, died while sitting in the back seat of the car, police said.

The wreck happened in Dacula on Jan. 11, police said. Tubman was driving a Toyota Highlander north on Braselton Highway when she lost control of the vehicle while going around a curve, police said.

The car went off the road and hit a fire hydrant and a tree before stopping.

Police said the car caught fire just before they arrived. They were able to remove Tubman, who was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital to be treated for burns, but said they could not rescue Cook because the car was engulfed in flames.

Police said alcohol may have contributed to the crash. Tubman’s blood alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit of .08.

Police said they were unable to charge Tubman right away. She spent time in the hospital to be treated for burns. Officials also had to wait on results from toxicology tests.

The results of additional toxicology tests are still pending.

Besides homicide by vehicle and DUI, Tubman is also charged with cruelty to children, reckless conduct, reckless driving and failure to maintain lane.

She is being held without bond.