LITHONIA, Ga. — The 911 call made by a father accused of being drunk when he crashed his car with his four kids inside reveals that he thought both of his daughters had died.
Eleven-year-old Joy Johnson was critically injured in the crash that killed her 15-year-old sister, Corliss, on Sunday.
Police said Anthony Johnson lost control of his Chrysler Pacifica Sunday night and crashed into the woods on Highway 78 near Stone Mountain in DeKalb County.
Investigators said after the crash, the father of four could not find his cellphone and walked to the Metro Café diner with his 8- and 9-year-old boys for help.
Johnson's conversation with a 911 operator was released on Tuesday.
"It was my two sons, and my two daughters. Two of my girls in the back seat – they're dead," Johnson told the dispatcher.
Johnson, 35, sobbed during his first appeara ce before a judge on Tuesday.
"I love my wife, and I love my children," Johnson said before his appearance.
In court, Channel 2's Erica Byfield learned Johnson has two prior arrests for DUI – one in April of 2002 and the other in September of 2004.
Johnson was released on $12,500 bond Wednesday morning.
A memorial fund has been established at Wells Fargo Bank to assist with funeral and medical expenses. Donations can be made out to The Corliss Johnson Memorial Fund.
WSBTV
