Crime & Safety

Police: Lilburn Parents Partly to Blame in Accident that Killed a Local Student

Two Lilburn parents and their 16-year-old son have been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal accident hat killed a local high school student.

Police say the boy's parents Santiago Rivas Garcia and Maria Elena Rodriguez permitted their son to drive without supervision, as reported by WSB-TV. Jail records show they both were arrested June 26.

Garcia and Rodriguez, both of Comanche Way in Lilburn, are charged with delinquency of a minor and permitting a minor to drive, according to jail records Although Rodriguez has bonded out of jail, Garcia is still in custody on additional immigration hold.

According to WSB-TV the unlicensed 16-year-old son is charged with vehicular homicide, speeding, and racing.

On June 23, the 16-year-old lost control of the SUV he was driving, and his friend and passenger Paul Strickland was ejected from the vehicle in the process, WSB-TV reported.

A vigil was held last week in Strickland's honor.  He was a student at Meadowcreek High School.


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