Prison inmate on work duty hit, killed by car; Gwinnett woman charged

Jennifer Adkins, 44, has been charged with second degree vehicular homicide, distracted driving and following too closely. A prison inmate on work detail was struck and killed by a car on Wednesday morning.

A prison inmate on work detail died Wednesday morning after being struck by a car on Lawrenceville Highway, Gwinnett County police said.

Jennifer Adkins, 44, of Buford was charged with second degree vehicular homicide, distracted driving and following too closely in connection with the crash. All charges are misdemeanors.

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Hunter O’Conner, 22, of Mableton, was hit by an oncoming vehicle shortly before 9:45 a.m. and died at the scene. He was walking behind a prison bus to control oncoming traffic when Adkins allegedly struck him from behind.

O’Conner was on the road in Lawrenceville as part of a prison work crew, “mowing grass or clearing weeds,” a police spokesman said. It was not immediately clear in which prison O’Conner was an inmate.

Adkins was transported to the Gwinnett County Detention Center after the crash.

Drugs, alcohol and speed were not thought to be factors, according to police. Officers believe Adkins was distracted and did not see O’Conner.

She has been released on $17,100 bond.

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