Man to Stand Trial for Felony Murder in Chattooga County, Georgia

A 29-year-old Trion man will stand trial for felony murder and vehicular homicide in connection with the death of 31-year-old Samantha Smith of Summerville back in January of this year.

The Chattooga County Grand Jury found that there was enough evidence for Brandon Womack to stand trial.

The Georgia State Patrol says the Buick Encore that Womack was driving was traveling north on Orchard Hill Road when the driver left the roadway and struck a tree, causing the vehicle to catch fire.  Womack was pulled to safety, but the passenger was trapped inside the vehicle and was pronounced deceased on scene.

The Georgia State Patrol concluded that Womack was driving in a reckless manner.  Womack is also accused of not letting the passenger out of the vehicle when she asked him to.  State Troopers say that Womack had been drinking and admitted to smoking marijuana prior to the deadly crash.

Womack has been indicted for felony murder, first-degree homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence of intoxicants, speeding, failure to maintain a single lane, driving on the wrong side of the road, improper passing, failure to wear a seatbelt, failure to stop at a stop sign and driving without a driver’s license.

(AM1180/WZQZ/Trion, Georgia)