Q: Reading about the wrong-way crash on I-20 that killed a police officer brought back another wreck and death caused by a wrong-way driver on I-20. In that one, a drunk driver driving on I-20 killed a young soldier who had returned from the Iraq war. What happened to the drunk driver and how is the wife's recovery from this tragic accident?
— Shirley Bailey, Villa Rica
A: Bruce Joseph Quayle, from Lithia Springs, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and 15 years of probation, 40 hours of community service and a $5,000 fine after pleading guilty to charges of DUI and homicide by vehicle in September last year, six months after the death of U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Greg Suedmeyer. Suedmeyer, who had just returned from Iraq, was heading west on I-20 with his wife Katelyn and their dog Bandit in March last year , when they were hit by Quayle, who was 71 at the time of the accident, and traveling east on the wrong side of the interstate in south Cobb County, near the Douglas County line. Police estimate Quayle drove more than five miles on the wrong side of I-20 before hitting the Suedmeyers, who had been married nine months and were on their way to visit family in Huntsville, Ala. The accident killed Greg, who was 21, and Bandit, and severely injured Katelyn, 19, who suffered broken bones, a collapsed left lung and brain damage. It was reported in September last year that Katelyn had some learning disabilities as a result of the accident.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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