A motorcyclist died in a crash early Sunday morning in downtown Athens, resulting in police charges against the other driver.
Athens-Clarke County officers responded to the incident at 2:09 a.m. on July 13, at the intersection of North Thomas Street and East Hancock Avenue. Investigators reported that 21-year-old Stephen Ford of Athens was driving a 2005 Chevrolet truck north when he attempted to turn left, colliding with a southbound 1986 Yamaha 125XZ motorcycle.
The motorcycle’s operator, 38-year-old Jennifer McKillip of Athens, sustained severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where she later died. Authorities confirmed that Ford was not injured in the crash.
Police charged Ford with first-degree vehicular homicide, DUI-alcohol, and failure to yield while turning left. This incident marks the sixth fatal crash in Athens-Clarke County in 2023, with a total of seven fatalities reported this year.
The investigation remains ongoing, according to authorities.