Update published 2:30 p.m. Monday, July 14:
The Baldwin man who was reportedly driving a car that crashed in North Hall County Friday, killing a Gainesville woman, is now facing several charges.
The Hall County Sheriff's Office announced Monday afternoon that James David Molton, age 31, is facing charges including vehicular homicide, serious injury by vehicle, DUI and reckless driving related to the crash that happened on Oliver Mill Road near Forrester Road.
Molton was reportedly driving the 1996 Chrysler Concorde at around 3:20 p.m. Friday when he lost control of the vehicle, left the road and hit a tree.
"According to the initial investigation, Molton was under the influence of methamphetamine and was in possession of a small amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) wax," a release from the sheriff's office said.
Caitlyn Marie Butler, age 27 of Gainesville, was also in that car and died at the scene. Another woman in the car's backseat, Melisa Sue Mann, age 23 of Cleveland, was seriously injured.
Molton and his frontseat passenger, Joseph Wolfgang Shumate, age 29 of Gainesville, suffered minor injuries.
As of Monday afternoon, Molton remained in the Hall County Jail without bond.
Original story published 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 12:
A single-vehicle accident in northern Hall County left one person dead and three others injured late Friday afternoon.
The Hall County Sheriff's Office said in a Saturday news release that the accident happened on Oliver Mill Road near Forrester Road at approximately 3:20 p.m.
"According to initial details, the car was westbound on Oliver Mill Road when the 31-year-old male driver lost control of it while attempting to negotiate a curve," the released stated. "The car left the road and hit a tree."
One woman, a 27-year-old from Gainesville, was killed in the collision. She was declared dead at the scene.
Three other individuals inside the vehicle, including the driver, suffered injuries in the crash, and were transported from the scene for treatment.
"Hall County Fire Rescue (HCFR) transported another female passenger, 23, of Cleveland, to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with serious injuries," the release continued. "HCFR also transported the driver, who has a Baldwin address, and a male passenger, 29, of Gainesville, to the hospital, both with minor injuries."
Investigators are currently withholding the names off all four individuals until next of kin can be notified.
Charges are said to be pending.
