Local

GSP trooper fired after wreck that killed 2 teens

CARROLL COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia State Patrol fired a trooper involved in a violent crash that killed two teenagers.
 
Channel 2 investigative reporter Aaron Diamant confirmed the agency already disciplined the trooper in two previous crashes.

Funeral services for Isabella Chinchilla and Kylie Lindsey were held Thursday.

The marquee outside South Paulding High School still pays tribute to the girls.

Six days after the crash that took their lives, we learned it's not the first time Trooper Anthony Scott, a 26-year-old former U.S. Marine, has been disciplined.

Authorities say Scott was driving 90 mph in a 55 mph zone on Georgia Highway 1 in Carroll County last Saturday just seconds before his cruiser struck and killed two teenagers in a small Nissan. GSP said Scott's crusier hit the car going about 65 mph.
 
"It's horrible, and it's horrible for the parents to lose their girls. You know, they're so young," student Anna Peardon said.
 
Chinchilla and Lindsey died in the crash that also sent two teenage boys to the hospital.
 
Even though the Nissan turned in front of the cruiser, GSP said Scott's lights and sirens were not on and he was not heading to an emergency call.
 
"He's crushed. He's devastated. He regrets the action he took that night," said Capt. Mark Perry with the Georgia State Patrol.
 
Still, GSP fired Scott Friday.
 
Meantime, Diamant confirmed Scott, who joined GSP in 2011, had been disciplined for two prior crashes.
 
"Both of them the contributing factor was misjudged clearance, nothing to do with speed or reckless driving, but he did receive a verbal warning for the first, a letter of instruction for the second, and then this is his third," Perry said.
 
Perry said the takeaway for all law enforcement officers is "Do your job, be careful doing your job, but be aware that every action that we make affects not only us, but it affects the people around us. It affects our families, it affects other families."
 
One of the boys injured in the crash remains at a local hospital.

None of the victim's families who Diamant reached Friday would speak about their reaction to Scott's firing.

Diamant was not able to make contact with Scott for comment.

Meantime, prosecutors told Diamant they have to review GSP’s case file before deciding whether to ask a grand jury to consider any charges.

The Lindsey family's attorney sent Channel 2 the following statement Friday:

"First, the Lindsey Family would like to thank the community for the outpouring of support and prayers from the entire community for both Kylie and Isabella following this tragedy.   They also would ask for the continued prayers for the two victims still recovering.   Today the Georgia State Patrol reached out to Kylie's family and informed them of the findings of their investigation, and were even more devastated with the news that this senseless accident and loss was preventable.  As you can imagine, the family was shocked at the conclusions released by the Georgia State Patrol, and look forward to working with the Carroll County District Attorney's Office as they continue to investigate the crash.

In the interim, we would ask that everyone respect the privacy of the Lindsey Family and allow them to mourn the loss of Kylie."