Charges have now been levied against a Flowery Branch man, almost two months after he crashed his vehicle into another car on McEver Road, killing the young driver.
Sophia Garcia, 19, died at the scene of the accident the night of Nov. 25, 2020, the night before Thanksgiving.
At the time, the Georgia State Patrol reported the suspect, Leonardo Venegas-Cruz, 29, had crossed the center line of McEver Road, striking Garcia's vehicle head-on. Troopers also said in November they expected to file charges in the crash. Those warrants were issued on Dec. 4, 2020.
Venegas-Cruz and a passenger in his vehicle were injured in the collision and hospitalized.
The Hall County Sheriff's Office reported the arrest of Venegas-Cruz on Monday, Jan. 25. The following charges were brought against the suspect by the Georgia State Patrol:
- Homicide by vehicle in the 1st degree
- DUI alcohol/less safe
- Providing alcohol to a minor
- Failure to maintain lane
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Serious injury by vehicle
Venegas-Cruz also was placed under an immigration hold. He remained in the Hall County Jail on Tuesday afternoon.
