Charges upgraded for driver after Brookhaven woman dies in hit-and-run

Patricia Warrington Long

Credit: DeKalb County Sheriff's Office

Credit: DeKalb County Sheriff's Office

Patricia Warrington Long

An 89-year-old Brookhaven woman has died nearly two weeks after she was hit by an alleged drunken driver while walking on a sidewalk.

Sima Pevzner died Sunday as a result of injuries she sustained during the May 21 collision along Peachtree Road, according to Brookhaven police. Investigators have accused 53-year-old Patricia Warrington Long of driving drunk and leaving the scene after hitting Pevzner.

RELATED: Driver accused of hitting 89-year-old Brookhaven woman, leaving scene

Police on Tuesday announced that they had obtained warrants for an additional charge of first-degree homicide by vehicle against Long. The Brookhaven woman has been held in the DeKalb County Jail since her May 21 arrest.

Long was taken into custody by Brookhaven police shortly after the incident. Traffic investigators determined that Pevzner was walking properly on the sidewalk when she was hit by Long’s Lexus sedan as it was pulling out of the Atler at Brookhaven apartment complex.

Long was initially arrested on felony charges of hit-and-run, serious injury by vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol, and driving while declared to be a habitual violator.

She also faces misdemeanor charges of driving on a suspended or revoked license, failure to maintain lane and obstruction, according to police.

The deadly incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Brookhaven’s traffic safety unit at 404-637-0748.

In other news: