A Haralson County jury found Mark Anthony Gay guilty of vehicular homicide in the first degree and D.U.I. late Friday night. The jury reached their verdict just before 9:00 p.m on August 29.

Prior to sunrise, on October 6, 2021, a traffic accident happened at the intersection of Georgia Highway 100 and the eastbound I-20 entrance ramp. Mr. James Luke Garrett, acting as a Good Samaritan, stopped his vehicle to check on the condition of the drivers in the accident. As Mr. Garrett was exiting his vehicle, Gay who was traveling north on Highway 100 and under the influence of alcohol struck Mr. Garrett. Mr. Garrett passed away due to his injuries. Gay’s blood-alcohol content was .119 (fifty percent above the legal limit) at the time of the collision.

Chief Assistant D.A. Robert Peterkin and Assistant D.A. Jason Jones lead the prosecution for the State. Prosecutors worked with the Georgia State Patrol Special Collision Reconstruction Team and GSP Sergeant Scotty Smith to present the case at trial. Sentencing will be set for a future date.

“I thank the trial jury for their verdict. It was a long, hard week for them. My hope is that their verdict will be able to bring peace and justice to Mr. Garrett’s family,” stated D.A. Jaeson Smith. “I also have to thank our entire Haralson County D.A. Office. We have some of the best staff in the state and their teamwork really shows at moments like these.”