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Police: 3 teens struck by drunken driver

AUSTELL, Ga. — Georgia State Police are investigating an overnight accident in Douglas County in which three teenage girls were injured and a driver was charged with DUI.

The crash happened around 1:30 a.m. on Maxham Road near Thornton Road in Austell.

According to police the girls said they were on their way to the store when they were struck by a drunken driver.

Police say Shania Willis suffered the most serious injuries. According to an email from the public information office sent to Channel 2, Willis suffered head trauma and is in critical condition at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

Kendra Taylor suffered head trauma and is in critical condition at Grady Memorial Hospital, according to the same email. It also stated that Carleece Brown, 13, is at Scottish Rite with a broken ankle. The girls are from Lithia Springs.

"I hate to hear that," Melinda Hutchins told Channel 2's Shae Rozzi. Hutchins said she's worked in the area for 20 years. "That's awful. I know that there are a lot of teenagers that walk up and down through here but I also wonder why those girls were out that time of the night."

A Channel 2 photographer captured video of teenagers and adults walking in and alongside Maxham Road.

"I've been here for about three years," Chris Boykin who lives in the area told Rozzi.  "It's pretty common to see people out here walking. I have a car at the house but  I just like to get out here and walk."       

Boykin saw the police response to the accident as he left his home for work Tuesday.

"I saw a lot of debris in the road. Saw a car sitting up with the horn just going off. It's sad, their family and loved ones will definitely be in my prayers," Boykin said.

Police arrested 22-year-old Crystal Marshall of Chicago, Illinois.

She's being held in the Douglas County Jail charged with serious injury by vehicle, driving under the influence, driving too fast for conditions, slick tires, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.