A Georgia sheriff’s deputy has been placed on administrative leave after he was arrested and a second man was confirmed dead in a single-boat crash on Lake Jackson on Sunday night, state officials said.
Butts County Deputy Brandon McGaha, 38, remained at a hospital in intensive care Tuesday morning, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office said. She confirmed that he was placed on administrative leave by Sheriff Gary Long after McGaha was charged with boating under the influence.
The deputy’s arrest was announced Monday by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. McGaha is being treated for multiple major injuries, the sheriff’s spokeswoman said, including a ruptured spleen, lacerated liver, broken ribs and a concussion.
Credit: Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council
Credit: Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council
Around 2 p.m. Monday, DNR investigators pulled the body of Joseph Upchurch, 56, from about 50 feet of water after locating it with sonar, a spokesman said.
According to the state agency, game wardens were called to the Jasper County section of the lake after getting reports of an incident around 10 p.m. Sunday, the spokesman said. When they found the boat, they learned that two men had been thrown from it in a crash. McGaha was able to swim to shore despite his injuries, but Upchurch could not be found.
Investigators began searching immediately but did not locate Upchurch’s body until more than 14 hours later, the spokesman said.
Lake Jackson is located southeast of Atlanta and extends into both Jasper and Butts counties, and it is bordered to the north by Newton County.
“I would ask for continued prayers for the families of both involved and pray God will bring them peace and comfort during this most difficult time,” the sheriff’s office said on Facebook.
McGaha started his career in law enforcement as a jailor with the Butts sheriff’s office in 2013, according to records kept by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. A year later, he became a deputy and has held that position for more than 10 years with no recorded disciplinary issues. His POST certification remained in good standing as of Monday evening.
DNR officials said the investigation is expected to be complete in eight to 10 weeks.
About the Author
