Police: Cobb 19-year-old was driving 96 mph in 40-mph zone before deadly crash

Colin William Outz

Colin William Outz

A 19-year-old was driving at least 96 mph, more than double the speed limit, when he caused a crash that killed a Cobb County grandfather, according to police.

Colin William Outz of Marietta was driving a white 2010 Mercedes C300 southbound on Johnson Ferry Road at the time of the Feb. 21 crash, Cobb police said. As Outz entered the intersection with Powers Road, he slammed into the passenger side of a Mercedes.

The posted speed limit in the area is 40 mph, according to police.

RELATED: Grandfather killed, teen injured in crash on busy east Cobb road

“The collision redirected the 2011 Mercedes approximately 128 feet to the south from the point of impact,” Outz’s arrest warrant states.

Rob Higginbotham, a 61-year-old local businessman, was ejected and died at the scene of the crash, which happened about 11:30 p.m. Higginbotham was 100 yards from home when he was killed, his family said after the crash.

Outz was also injured in the crash and taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, according to police.

Mary Smith told Channel 2 Action News her father’s death devastated her family.

“He loved so hard,” Smith said. “He was so outgoing. He couldn’t wait to take my son to Braves games, and he couldn’t wait to take him bass fishing.”

Earlier this week, Cobb police charged Outz with first-degree vehicular homicide and reckless driving, his warrant states. He was arrested Wednesday afternoon and booked into the Cobb jail. Outz was released late Wednesday after posting a $20,000 bond, booking records show.