Cobb County

Incident report: Driver in crash that killed brothers may have been on drugs

By Wendy Halloran
By Wendy Halloran

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Dozens of people filled a Cobb County park to remember two brothers killed in a crash on Thanksgiving weekend.

A celebration of life was held for loved ones to pay their final respects to Deacon and Garrett Harris, whose young lives were cut short.

The Georgia Southern University students were traveling back to school after spending the holiday with their family in Cobb County when the crash happened.

At just after 1 a.m. troopers say 27-year-old Jared Adler drove the wrong way down Interstate 16 and hit the brothers head on.

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GSU student Nathan Seymour told Channel 2’s Wendy Halloran that he first met Deacon Harris his freshman year.

“He was kind of timid at first, a little shy. Wouldn’t come out of his room much, but by the end of the first semester that melted away of course. We became best friends,” Seymour said.

The two had been roommates ever since.

"He was one of those guys you could talk to about anything. He was a great guy, always ready to listen, always ready to help out in any way that he could," Seymour told Halloran.

Deacon Harris was studying political science and wanted to become a lawyer. Garrett Harris was just starting his college journey as a freshman.

The brothers were described as inseparable. Both of them were part of the Navy ROTC program at Allatoona High School.

"Both of them left a mark on me, and I am forever thankful of that and I will never forget them," Seymour said.

Halloran obtained the Georgia State Patrol incident report from the wreck, which reveals the trooper did not suspect Adler was intoxicated but he did suspect Adler may have been under the influence of drugs.

The report shows blood was drawn from Adler and the toxicology reports are pending.

For those who knew the young men, they just hope to keep their memories alive.

"It’s going to be hard obviously. I’m going to think about Deacon and Garrett every day of my life. That’s never going to change," Seymour said.

GSP said when the investigation is complete the trooper will meet with the local prosecutor to determine if charges will be filed against Adler.

Cox Media Group

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