Hit and run driver found dead in Fayette jail cell — ‘self-inflicted injury‘

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Robert Stevenson of Senoia. Photo/Fayette County Jail.
Robert Stevenson. Photo/Fayette County Jail.

The Fayette County man charged with vehicular homicide in the Feb. 10 death of Starr’s Mill High School student Russell Logan was found dead on Feb. 18 in his cell in the infirmary at the Fayette County Jail. Sheriff Barry Babb said the initial scene findings showed signs of self-inflicted injury that resulted in Stevenson’s death.

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office jail personnel on Feb. 18 at approximately 8:30 a.m. discovered Robert Lee Stevenson, 60, of south Fayette County near Peachtree City, unresponsive in an infirmary cell, according to Babb.

Babb said Stevenson was pronounced on the scene and the Fayette County Coroner and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) were requested and responded.

The GBI, per standard practice, was requested by the sheriff to lead the investigation and will report findings directly to the Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, Babb said.

“The GBI is the lead agency for full transparency and I will defer any investigatory questions to be directed to that agency or our District Attorney’s Office. I will note that no force has been used by our staff or any physical altercations took place with Mr. Stevenson. The initial scene findings presented signs of self-inflicted injury that resulted in death. Mr. Stevenson was the single occupant in an infirmary cell,” said Babb.

Robert Lee Stevenson was being held without bond on numerous felony charges and misdemeanor charges including first degree felony homicide by vehicle, felony hit and run resulting in serious injury or death and felony reckless driving.

“I went to the scene of the original incident on Feb. 10 to assist and personally supervise the fatal crash investigation and arrest that followed. On Feb. 18 I was present with the GBI in our jail to facilitate in every way possible this investigation,” said Babb. “During this time, our chief deputy and chaplain notified Mr. Stevenson’s next of kin. I have also spoken to the father of the fatal homicide crash victim, Russell Logan, to prepare his family for this news.”

“This tragedy in our community continues to widen and has terribly affected these two families.  It is my prayer and everyone willing to join me in lifting these families and the faculty and students at Starr’s Mill High School as they continue to process, grieve, and recover from this heartbreak,” Babb said.

Babb said the announcement of Stevenson’s death on Feb. 18 was not made until the following day out of respect to the families involved and due to the media coverage that had already occurred.

Babb explained that services for Russell Logan had taken place on Friday and Saturday.

As previously reported by The Citizen, a Feb. 10 traffic incident off Ga. Highway 74 South near Peachtree City claimed the life of 16-year-old Russell Logan after he was struck by a drunk driver while walking along Brechin Drive near his home, according to Fayette County Sheriff Barry Babb and other sources. The driver, Stevenson, was subsequently arrested.

“Initial information from the scene indicates that Robert Lee Stevenson was driving a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix northbound on Brechin Drive and crossed the southbound lane striking a 16-year-old male. The male victim was transported to Piedmont Fayette Hospital where he was pronounced deceased,” said Babb.

Babb noted that the 16-year-old Logan was walking southbound on Brechin Drive at approximately 10:06 p.m. when he was struck by the oncoming vehicle.

Stevenson was taken into custody a short time later and was charged with the following offenses:

– felony homicide by vehicle – first degree

– felony reckless driving

– felony hit and run resulting in serious injury or death

– misdemeanor failure to maintain lane

– misdemeanor driving under the influence

– misdemeanor littering on the highway

– misdemeanor open container

– misdemeanor duty to report accident

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