HALL COUNTY, Ga. — One teenager is dead and three other people are hospitalized after a crash that investigators said was caused by a man accused of driving while high.
According to Georgia State Patrol, Johnathon Flanagan, 22, was driving north on Thompson Bridge Road near Price Road Tuesday around 9:25 p.m. when he crossed the center line and hit another car.
Jesus Alvarez-Perez, 19, died at the hospital. Elizabeth Alvarez-Perez, 44, was driving the car that was hit and is at the hospital in critical condition. Stephanie Perez, 16, and Matthew Perez, 15, were also injured in the crash and are in critical condition.
Relatives said the family was on their way home from church.
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Troopers believe Flanagan was driving too fast and was high on prescription drugs. He is facing 12 charges.
“He was suspected to be impaired by medications that were in fact not prescribed to him,” GSP Trooper Spencer Munger said.
“He is a young man who committed a horrible mistake, and he will have to live with that guilt,” family friend Beth Oropeza said.
Family members said they are confident Stephanie and Matthew Perez will pull through, and praying that Alvarez-Perez can survive her head trauma and broken bones.
“My sister -- she’s still battling between life and death, but we believe she is going to make it,” Frank Alvarez said.
Alvarez-Perez has been through four surgeries and likely faces more. The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with medical expenses.
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