Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

DUI charges filed in crash that killed Marietta firefighter

Ron Herens, 23, died in the wreck.
Ron Herens, 23, died in the wreck.
By Ben Brasch
May 3, 2017

Los Angeles prosecutors filed charges Tuesday against a man who allegedly was drunk when he T-boned a car of Marietta firefighters on vacation, killing one.

Benjamin Albert Seider faces a DUI vehicular manslaughter charge in the death of 23-year-old Ron Herens, according to a California court system.

Two other Marietta firefighters in the car, Dillon Guest and Doug Blanchard, were injured during the April 10 crash.

Gallery: Scenes from the Marietta firefighter's memorial

Hundreds gathered inside Trinity Chapel in Powder Springs in late April to honor the young man's memory.

Marietta firemen thanked the Los Angeles Fire Department for all their support. Herens’ family and his girlfriend shared stories of their times with the firefighter.

Watch the entire hourlong memorial

Seider pleaded not guilty in court. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 8.

He faces more than 12 years in prison if convicted as charged.

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The Marietta firefighter died while on vacation in California when a suspected drunk driver hit the car he was in.

About the Author

Ben Brasch is the reporter tasked with keeping Fulton County government accountable. The Florida native moved to Atlanta for a job with The AJC. If there's something important to you going on in Fulton, he wants to know about it. Help him better metro Atlanta by dropping a line, anonymously or otherwise.

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