A Navy sailor who tried to save a woman’s life after a car wreck had his vehicle stolen in DeKalb County while he was at the scene, authorities said.
Marsell James told Channel 2 Action News that he ran out of his car after seeing two cars violently crash about 12:30 a.m. Friday. The crash ended up killing both drivers.
He left his white Nissan Altima near the crash scene on Moreland Avenue near Mason Dixon Lane, but he told Channel 2 his car was the last thing on his mind during the heat of the moment.
“Being a Navy sailor, instinct kicks in, and (you’re thinking) just save, save, save,” James said. “I put my car in park, jumped out of the car and went straight onto the scene to assist.”
According to a DeKalb police incident report, Margaret Uboh, a 65-year-old mother of three from Ellenwood, was critically injured after another woman pulled in front of her car on Moreland Avenue, leading to a T-bone wreck. The other driver, identified as Ashl Whitehurst, 31, of Conyers, had two open alcohol containers in her vehicle, the report said.
While James was at the scene, police said someone saw his Altima sitting unattended and helped themselves. His car, which had been left unlocked, was missing when the incident was over. A witness said someone in a silver pickup truck got into James’ car and drove away, Channel 2 reported.
“I’m not thinking of locking my car or anything like this happening on an accident scene,” James said. “I’m thinking about going to go help.”
However, he said he’s not the true victim here, since both women later died at a hospital from their injuries, according to police and Uboh’s family.
“I wish I could have saved (Uboh),” James said. “(I) absolutely wish I could have saved her.”
Uboh’s family told Channel 2 they didn’t want to comment on the incident at this time.
Police had opened a DUI investigation into the crash before Whitehurst was pronounced dead, according to the incident report. No other information was made available.
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