Gwinnett man charged with vehicular homicide in son’s death

Gwinnett police announced Thursday that the driver of a car in an accident on I-85 that killed his son has been charged with vehicular homicide.

The driver, Juan C. Velasquez-Dominguez was headed south Wednesday on the interstate when the investigation revealed he left the roadway and struck the concrete base of the Boggs Road exit sign, said Cpl. Edwin Ritter.

The collision sent 7-year old Juan Velazquez of Norcross to Gwinnett Medical Center, where he died. The boy was not wearing a seat belt, Ritter said.

Velasquez-Dominguez, 33, did not have a drivers’ license, but was wearing a seat belt, Ritter said. He remains in the hospital.

Three other passengers were also injured. Five-year-old Sophia Ramos of Norcross also was not wearing a seat belt and was transported to Scottish Rite with non-life threatening injuries.

Passengers Sara Ramos-Martin, 35, of Norcross, and 10-year-old Nelson Tucas Belloso of Norcross were wearing seat belts. Both were transported to Scottish Rite hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Velasquez-Dominguez was charged with second degree vehicular homicide, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. He is also charged with driving without a license, improper lane change, reckless conduct and no safety restraint for a child, Ritter said