A Jonesboro
woman accused of killing an innocent Peachtree City motorist in a crash
while she was being chased by police last July pleaded not guilty to murder
and vehicular homicide charges in court Friday morning.
Lorraine McCrary,
37, also pled not guilty to the remaining charges stemming from the wreck,
including attempting to elude a police officer, speeding, a child safety
restraint violation and two counts of reckless conduct.
The crash killed
Chuck Vicha of Peachtree City as he attempted to turn left onto Ga. Highway
54 just outside the eastern city limits the evening of Saturday, July
27, according to police. Three children in McCrary's car at the time of
the crash were also injured.
McCrary was
being pursued by officers from the Luthersville Police Department moments
before the accident. Peachtree City police officers blocked off major
intersections in on Hwy. 54 in the city to protect the public.
McCrary, who
is in rehabilitation from her injuries suffered in the crash, entered
and left the courtroom in a wheelchair Friday morning. She is incarcerated
at a jail facility outside Fayette County that specializes in providing
medical treatment for prisoners.
After the crash,
Fayette County Sheriff's detectives found numerous forged financial documents
in her vehicle, leading law enforcement officials to speculate that was
why she fled the Luthersville officers.
McCrary's bond
hearing was postponed until Tuesday, Nov. 26 because a witness who may
testify on her behalf was unable to appear Friday, according to attorneys.
The trial is slated for Monday, Dec. 2.
The crash led
Peachtree City Police Chief James Murray to ask Gov. Roy Barnes to create
legislation to restrict when police may conduct high-speed pursuits of
suspects. Barnes later declined to do so, stating police need to have
a certain amount of leeway to make chase decisions in certain situations.
Murray and
other law enforcement personnel later testified at a Georgia Senate subcommittee
hearing on the issue that was hosted by Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg).
During that
hearing, several officials testified that police officers and sheriff's
deputies receive little training on high-speed pursuits while at police
academy.
Georgia State
Troopers, however, receive more extensive training in how to end high-speed
pursuits, officials said.
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