Police stepping up patrols after pair of serious suspected DUI crashes on the same day

MORROW, Ga. — The fiancé of a woman whose unborn child was killed in a suspected DUI crash says she’s not doing too well. Emanuel Acoltzi also told Channel 2′s Tom Jones his fiancé has tested positive for COVID-19.

Acoltzi, 19, told Jones he was getting ready to marry the love of his life, 19-year-old Ashley Acosta, later this month.

The young couple wanted to exchange vows before Acosta delivered their son. Acosta was seven months pregnant.

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Police said the driver of a Ford F-150 ran a red light at Jonesboro Road and Lake Harbin around 2 a.m. Sunday.

Officers said the truck then slammed into a car driven by Acoltzi, with Acosta in the passenger seat.

Morrow police said the truck crushed the passenger side where Acosta was sitting.

“And very tragically as a result of the seriousness of this crash, the unborn child was killed,” Deputy Chief David Snively said.

Police arrested Jeffrey Fulks at the scene. Officers said he was intoxicated.

Acosta was left in critical condition, and her fiancé said she now has COVID-19.

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Nykeeta Young was a victim of a suspected drunk driver the same day.

“My heart goes out to her. My heart goes out to that entire family,” she said.

Police said around 12 hours after the crash involving Acoltzi and Acosta, Adam Hernandez crashed head-on into Young about half a mile away on Reynolds Street. He is suspected of driving while intoxicated.

“It was like almost my life flashed before my eyes,” Young said.

Young, 30, said she is amazed she walked away from the crash. She also said she saved up for her car and had just purchased it.

“I got it Thursday night, and I lost it Sunday,” she said.

Young is thankful she didn’t lose her life. She says drunk drivers have no idea of the pain they put people through.

“Breathing hurts. Turning my head the wrong way hurts. My wrist is still in pain,” she said.

Police said they are stepping up their presence in light of the DUI crashes. They said the public deserves to drive on roads that are safe and free of intoxicated drivers.

Acoltzi is going from planning a wedding to planning a funeral. He is asking everyone for their prayers.

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Fulks faces multiple charges, including first-degree vehicular feticide, serious injury by vehicle, DUI and failure to obey a traffic control device.

Hernandez faces charges of DUI, driving while unlicensed, driving on the wrong side of the road and driving with an open container of alcohol. Both are being held in the Clayton County jail.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help pay for the funeral expenses for Emanuel Acoltzi’s child.

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