Newton Citizen

Michael Jones

CONYERS -- Vehicular homicide and other criminal charges have been filed against a Decatur man who was allegedly driving drunk when his vehicle struck and killed a Conyers man last month.

Rockdale County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested Michael Wayne Jones, 47, of 3821 Tawny Birch Court, Decatur on Dec. 21 and charged him with first degree vehicular homicide, reckless driving, failure to yield right of way and driving under the influence.

The charges were brought against Jones following the investigation of a Nov. 18 crash at the intersection of Ga. Highway 138 and East Fairview Road in south Rockdale County.

According to the RCSO incident report, John Fletcher, 51, of Conyers was traveling eastbound on Ga. Highway 138 just after 1 a.m. in a Dodge Ram truck. Fletcher reportedly stopped at the four-way stop before attempting to cross the intersection. Jones, driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling southbound on East Fairview Road, crashed into the driver's side of Fletcher's truck.

Fletcher's truck overturned on impact and he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the incident report.

Jones suffered head injuries from the crash and was taken by medical helicopter to Grady Memorial Hospital.

Authorities determined Jones ran the stop sign at the intersection. The unofficial accident report also listed Jones' condition as being under the influence of alcohol and indicated driving under the influence was a contributing factor to the wreck.

Jones was released from the hospital and taken into custody last week.

He was released from the Rockdale County Jail Dec. 22 on a $27,900 bond, according to jail administrators.