Gwinnett Daily Post

HART COUNTY -- A local man is being charged with second-degree vehicular homicide following a wreck Saturday that claimed the life of a 16-year-old from Buford.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, Ralph Edward Whitmire Jr., 40, of Lawrenceville was driving a 1998 Ford truck west on Bethany-Bowersville Road in Hart County, when the vehicle left the roadway, hit a ditch, overturned and landed on its top.

Passenger Zachary Morgan Holman, 16, of Buford, died at the scene, said Georgia State Patrol Spokesman Gordy Wright.

Whitmire and Madison Holman, 11, of Buford were transported to Anderson Medical Center in Anderson, S.C., with unknown injuries.

In addition to second-degree vehicular homicide, Whitmire has been charged with failing to maintain lane, seat belt violations, no proof of insurance and driving with suspended, canceled or revoked registration.

Wright said the wreck occurred about 6:45 p.m. Saturday. All three occupants were ejected from the vehicle upon impact.

According to information from the funeral home, Holman was a ninth grade student of Mill Creek High School.

Arrangements were not yet complete Monday. Flanigan Funeral Home of Buford is handling services.

It was not clear Monday night if the vehicle's occupants were related.