BARROW COUNTY, Ga. — The family of a woman killed in what was originally considered a DUI crash has learned the suspect won’t face any jail time.
Meghan Caldwell, 25, was initially charged with DUI less safe, two counts of vehicular homicide and failure to obey a traffic control device.
The felony charges were tied to the March 2016 crash that killed Cathy Moore and Bradley Atha, and injured another man, Joseph Martin.
At the time, Caldwell was placed on administrative leave from her teaching and coaching positions at Loganville High School.
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In the initial incident reports obtained through an open records request, the narrative explains the then-24-year-old’s breathalyzer test “registered positive for alcohol.”
It was administered after Caldwell was transported to the hospital for a fractured wrist.
The report goes on to describe how Caldwell agreed to speak to an investigator without her lawyer in an interview recorded by a body camera. That led to the felony charges.
Much of the case material was not immediately available to Channel 2 as Barrow County investigators and prosecutors cited a pending investigation.
Moore’s family told Channel 2’s Nicole Carr that they were summoned into the Barrow County D.A.’s office for a meeting two weeks ago.
“We were told by the D.A. that there would be no judge that would look at this case and sentence her to jail time,” said Rita Reed, Moore’s sister.
Reed said her family wasn’t told how the felony charges could be downgraded to misdemeanors. They said they were just told evidence did not support the original charges.
“You don't get any answers,” said Lonnie Reed, Rita’s husband. “You don't get any straight answers.”
On Friday, Carr learned state lab results had finally been returned in Caldwell’s case.
Her attorney, Billy Healan, said he had not actually seen the results, but was told by the Barrow County D.A.’s office that Caldwell tested negative for alcohol.
Reed told Carr that had not been explained to them.
“Something’s not right,” she said. “You know, I don’t expect her to spend the rest of her life in jail, but you killed two people. This was you.”
The victim’s family also inquired about why the Georgia State Patrol didn’t investigate the crash since it happened on a state highway.
GSP told Carr their Athens Post is only a support agency, and they were not requested on this crash site.
Carr reached out to prosecutors Friday. She inquired about the specific downgraded charges and potential jail time in the case.
Sarah Griffie, Barrow County’s Chief Assistant District Attorney, said she couldn’t comment on any aspect of the case because it’s still pending.
Rita Reed and her family said the case isn’t adding up.
"I'm failing her (Cathy) now because I'm letting them get away with killing her and there's nothing they can do,” cried Reed. “Or nothing I can do. They could do something if they wanted to."