GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County police have charged an illegal immigrant with first-degree vehicular homicide after a deadly crash in March.
According to a police report obtained by Channel 2 Action News, Jhony Velasquez-Castillo,34, was driving recklessly and speeding 80 mph down Peachtree Industrial Boulevard when it happened.
"They believe that he was driving between 75 and 85 miles an hour in a 45 mph zone," said Gwinnett County police Cpl. Ed Ritter.
Johnathon Campbell, 15, was getting a ride to Lanier High School with his 17-year-old sister. They said she turned left off Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and was struck by Castillo's Jeep SUV.
On the morning of Wednesday March 30, it was dark and rainy. Police knew the weather contributed to a deadly crash. At the time, police did not believe Velasquez-Castillo was at fault and arrested him only for driving without a license. An immigration hold was placed on him at the Gwinnett County jail.
Investigators now believe his excessive speed was the biggest contributing factor to outcome of the crash, though they acknowledge the sister didn't yield the right of way.
"She waited for traffic to clear that was driving the speed limit, and this vehicle was a distance away and felt she had enough clearance to get through there," Ritter said.
But he added, if Castillo was driving the speed limit, he would have been able to stop and the crash may have been avoided.
Velasquez-Castillo is now charged with first-degree vehicular homicide, reckless driving and speeding.
Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh spoke to Campbell's mother Friday. She said her family is still reeling from the loss of their son and brother. She said she anticipated the charges being filed, but said they won't bring her son back.