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Man charged with vehicular manslaughter in friend's fatal motorcycle crash

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — A man is charged with vehicular homicide after police say he caused a crash that killed his best friend.

The charges came after a months-long investigation.

Mario Miller, 41, faces second-degree vehicular homicide and following too close charges. 

Channel 2's Tom Jones was in a Clayton County Magistrate Court when Miller made his first court appearance.

"The count of homicide by vehicle second-degree, $25,000 bond," said Judge Stephen Knight Jr.
     
Clayton County police said the crash happened on Interstate 285 westbound near the Conley Road overpass in February.

Officers said Miller was following too close when his motorcycle hit the rear of another car, causing that car to hit the concrete median barrier, flip and hit and kill Stanley Hill.
   
Miller and Hill had been riding together on separate motorcycles. 

Miller's attorney said he did nothing wrong.

"We believe the evidence will show that he is not guilty of causing the death of Stanley Hill," attorney Jackie Patterson said.
   
Patterson said Hill's actions may have led to his own death.

"The victim in this case, Mr. Stanley Hill, had marijuana in his system and also had alcohol in his system," he stated.
   
Patterson told the court that a car cut in front of Miller and that caused Hill to lose control and crash. It's why Patterson asked the court to reduce Miller's bond.

The judge refused that request.

"I definitely reviewed this one closely and I do understand the facts and that is the reason for $25,000 as opposed to a higher amount," Judge Knight responded.
   
Outside court, Patterson reiterated his stance that his client had nothing to do with his friend's death. "The police must learn to understand that sometimes accidents are not crimes. Accidents do take place," he said.