Woman charged with murder in pedestrian’s death in Douglasville

A woman accused of striking another woman with her vehicle and killing her has been charged with felony murder, Douglasville police said Sunday.

Brehonna Nicole Turner, 23, of Ellenwood, is accused of hitting Alexandria Wells at a Douglasville townhome complex Friday night.

Wells, 23, of Douglasville, was pronounced dead at the scene, Douglas County coroner Randy Daniel said. She died of asphyxiation, he said.

“She was pinned under the car and couldn’t breathe — that’s what killed her,” Daniel said.

Wells was standing outside the Ashley Oaks townhomes complex when she was allegedly hit by Turner before 10 p.m. Friday, according to Douglasville Police Chief Chris Womack.

Witnesses told police the suspect was in a heated argument with her ex-boyfriend at the complex and sprayed him with pepper spray. She then got in her vehicle to leave the complex and allegedly ran into Wells, who was not involved in the domestic dispute, Womack said.

Turner is in the Douglas County jail charged with felony murder and aggravated assault, Womack said Sunday.

Firefighters catch residents jumping from massive apartment fire

More than 40 people are homeless, though no one was hurt, after a fire destroyed an apartment building in DeKalb County, according to Channel 2 Action News.

When firefighters got to the apartment complex on Bouldercrest Road, there were at least 10 people trapped on a balcony, including children and one infant.

DeKalb Fire Rescue said the flames were already advancing to the rest of the building, but their first priority was saving lives.

The first four companies at the scene went into rescue mode, catching people jumping from the top floor, and getting a ladder to the balcony to pull people to safety.

Nineteen of the 25 units were occupied and the building is a complete loss.

Firefighters did have a problem at first getting enough water pressure from hydrants at the back of the complex.

Channel 2’s Steve Gehlbach talked to two residents who are upset the fire took so long to put out.

“I see a lot of firemen stand around, no water. Water starts, the water stops. My apartment is gutted. I lost everything,” said resident Wilburt Dawson.

DeKalb Fire said their first job was to save lives, then try to save the property.

“We were literally rescuing people from the front balcony and from the side of this building. So our first priority was life safety. Once we made sure they were okay, then we could start focusing our efforts on fighting the fire,” said Fire Capt. Jackson.