An off-duty sheriff's deputy was killed and his wife seriously injured when their motorcycle was struck by a suspected drunk driver Saturday night.

Richard Darren Hester, 46, of Monroe, was driving southbound on Ga. Highway 11 in Hall County shortly after 6 p.m. when his motorcycle was a hit by Chevrolet 3500 truck, according to Sgt. Paul Cosper with the Georgia State Patrol.

Hester, a Walton County deputy, died at the scene and his wife, Jamie Hester, was flown to Atlanta Medical Center with serious injuries, Cosper said. Both were ejected from the motorcycle, he said.

The driver of the truck, Robert Champine, 59, of Gainesville, was not injured in the crash. Champine faces numerous charges, including vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, felony marijuana possession and failure to yield, Cosper said.

Champine was arrested and booked into the Hall County jail.

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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