Answers sought in wreck that killed 2, unborn child

Police were still investigating Monday the circumstances surrounding a deadly car crash Sunday afternoon at a busy Columbia County intersection.

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Sheriff's Maj. Rick Whitaker said authorities are trying to determine how a reported shoplifting at the Evans Mashalls department store might have led to the crash that took the lives of three people and injured four others.

"So much loss for so little," Maj. Whitaker said about the crash. "I don't understand it."

On Monday, Tiara Maria Smith, 20, of the 3300 block of Greening Lane in Augusta, remained at the Columbia County Detention Center with bond set at $40,200, jail personnel said.

She has been charged with two counts of first-degree vehicular homicide, feticide and nine additional traffic charges ranging from reckless driving to seat-belt violations.

Two people injured in the accident remained at Medical College of Georgia Hospital.

Mary Turner, 26, was listed in critical condition.

Mrs. Smith's passenger, 42-year-old Nebula McNeeley, was in good condition, MCG spokeswoman Danielle Wong Moores said.

Maj. Whitaker said Ms. Smith and Ms. McNeeley were being investigated in a shoplifting incident at Marshalls.

"From what I understand, they (store employees) stopped them outside the store and asked them to come back in the store," he said. "They basically refused and left to get out of the area at a high rate of speed."

Investigators were still trying Monday to determine what happened inside the store.

Authorities said Ms. Smith sped through a red light while heading east on Washington Road and struck a Chrysler Cirrus heading north onto Old Evans Road. Police said they were not chasing Ms. Smith's car at the time of the wreck.

Margaret Patricia Branton, 63, of Padrick Street in Martinez, and her son, Lonnie D. Turner, 37, died instantly in the collision a little after 4 p.m., said Columbia County Deputy Coroner Vernon Collins.

Mrs. Turner, who was about 19 weeks pregnant, lost her unborn child in the crash, Mr. Collins said.

Two children, one in each vehicle, suffered minor injuries in the wreck. Memoree Willis, 7, and Joseph Turner, 4, were treated and released to relatives, Maj. Whitaker said.

Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222, ext. 113, or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com