Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE -- The driver who allegedly caused the post-prom death of a Meadowcreek High School student was indicted this week and could now be facing more than 100 years in prison.

Johlonda Lindsey, a 16-year-old junior at the school, was riding to a prom after-party last April when 19-year-old Dejon Wideman, who was allegedly racing, swerved his Chevrolet Trailblazer into oncoming traffic. The two vehicles collided and Lindsey was thrown onto Steve Reynolds Boulevard and died.

Two other passengers, 15-year-old Colleena Walker and 16-year-old Kendrea Walker, were also severely injured.

A Gwinnett County grand jury indicted Wideman this week on charges including homicide by vehicle, reckless driving and eight separate counts of serious injury by vehicle -- one for each significant injury sustained by the two surviving passengers.

According to the indictment, Colleena Walker suffered "organic brain damage" and injuries to her pelvis, spine and liver. Kendrea Walker had pelvic, leg, rib and hand injuries.

Wideman was arrested April 30, the day after the crash, and released four days later on $17,500 bond.

A conviction on all charges would carry the potential for a 135-year prison term -- the vehicular homicide charge and all eight counts of serious injury by vehicle each carry a 15-year maximum sentence. A vehicular homicide conviction carries a minimum three-year sentence; serious injury by vehicle has a one-year minimum.

More than 200 people attended a vigil for Lindsey following her death.