3 teenagers die after struck by car in Clayton County

Priscilla Johnson Arrest
WSB Radio News

By JIM DANKO

Three teenagers died after being struck by a car while walking along Ga. Highway 138 on Aug. 25 in Clayton County. The driver, Priscilla Dianne Johnson, 48, of Lithonia, was talking on her cell phone and had taken anti-depressants at the time of the fatal car accident, police told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The three teens, between 17 and 19, were hit just after 4:30 p.m. as they were walking in the emergency lane, according to media reports. One of the teenagers died at the scene, while another died later at Grady Hospital. The third teen was taken off life support after suffering a traumatic brain injury, according to the Journal-Constitution.

Police said Johnson struck three pedestrians, Antonious "Tony" Bishop, 16, Octavius Sorrells, 17, and Timothy Aaron, 17. Police said Johnson faces several charges, including vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, hit and run and obstruction of an officer. She also was charged with driving on a suspended license, driving in the emergency lane, reckless driving, failure to exercise due care while on a cell phone and having no proof of insurance.

According to Channel 2 Action News, a friend of the driver's said she was impaired on anti-depressants and on the phone when she struck the teenagers near Stockbridge.

"Drivers need to be alert and watch out for pedestrians. Distracted and impaired driving can have tragic consequences, as this case illustrates," said Atlanta personal injury lawyer Gary Martin Hays, of the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, P.C. "My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the teenagers who died."