The attorney of a teen charged with vehicular homicide said his client was not street racing the night of the crash that killed his teammate.
Dejon Wideman, 18, made his first appearance at Gwinnett County Courthouse on Tuesday. He is being held on $67,200 bond.
Police said Wideman's speeding and reckless driving on his way to a post-prom party led to a crash on Steve Reynolds Boulevard last Saturday night. Police said 16-year-old Johlonda Lindsey was ejected from the car and died.
"This, (Wideman) says, is a pure accident. I believe him," defense attorney Mike Maloof told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh. "I believe these charges will either be reduced or dismissed."
Kavanaugh spent the day in a packed courtroom, where family, friends and teammates gathered in a show of support for the Meadowcreek High School senior track athlete. Many described him as a good kid who stayed out of trouble.
"It's bad enough that he has to go through this alone, so we came here to show him support because he's a good guy," teammate Rene Deluna said.
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"Whenever we're down, he would always lift you back up," Wideman's classmate Chandler McCoy added.
Another student, Roshaun Williams, spoke of Wideman's discipline in the classroom.
"He was always in class early. Any time I get to class, he was there," she said.
"It's hard because he's supposed to be graduating this year with us," Marian Mensah said.
Meanwhile, students continue to mourn for two friends – Lindsey, who is gone, and Wideman, whose future is uncertain due to his teammate's loss.
Services will be held for Lindsey Saturday at New Mercies Christian Church in Lilburn. Friends have set up a memorial fund in her name at Wells Fargo to assist the teen's family with funeral costs.
WSBTV
