Driver Charged in Fatal Head-On Crash that Killed South Fulton Police Officer

Santoria McLean, 31, of Atlanta was driving on Flat Shoals Road in the evening of April 15 when she allegedly crossed the center line and struck a patrol vehicle, killing Lt. Helio Garcia, 47. McLean was seriously injured in the crash and was being treated at Grady Memorial Hospital. One month after the crash, McLean was booked into the Fulton County jail, where she was charged with first-degree vehicular homicide, reckless driving, driving too fast for conditions, and making an improper lane change.

Key Takeaways:

McLean, 31, was driving on Flat Shoals Road when she allegedly crossed the center line and struck a patrol vehicle driven by Lt. Helio Garcia.
Garcia, 47, was killed in the crash, becoming the first officer killed in the line of duty for the South Fulton police department.
McLean was seriously injured in the crash and was being treated at Grady Memorial Hospital.
McLean was booked into the Fulton County jail on April 15, one month after the crash.
McLean has been charged with first-degree vehicular homicide, reckless driving, driving too fast for conditions, and making an improper lane change.
Garcia's leadership and devotion to his family were widely praised by those who spoke at his funeral.
A candlelight vigil was held at the South Fulton police headquarters to honor Garcia's service, and a GoFundMe page was created to assist his family.

Statistics:

31: The age of driver Santoria McLean at the time of the crash.
47: The age of Lt. Helio Garcia at the time of his death.
2018: The year the South Fulton police department was formed.
3: The number of Georgia officers killed in the line of duty this year.

Sources:

[1] Georgia State Patrol (no date). "Driver Charged in Fatal Head-On Crash that Killed South Fulton Police Officer."
[2] The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (no date). "South Fulton police officer killed in head-on crash on Flat Shoals Road."