Across the area

Two men assaulted an Augusta woman after her car broke down in the 2800 block of Wrightsboro Road on Friday, according to a Richmond County sheriff's report.

The 31-year-old woman told police that two men approached her at 1:45 a.m. and asked whether she needed a ride. When the victim refused, the men pushed her to the ground, ripped off her shirt and tried to take off her pants, the report said. The woman was able to get loose from the men and run home.

A Thomson man has been charged in the shooting death of Todd Brooks, 36, who was pronounced dead in McDuffie County on Wednesday night.

Michael Johnson, 27, is charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, said McDuffie County Sheriff Logan Marshall.

Mr. Johnson had been in custody on an "investigative hold" since Wednesday.

The shooting took place near Mr. Johnson's home on Wrens Road, Sheriff Marshall said.

The sheriff wouldn't release the details of what led to the incident because he said investigators had received conflicting witness statements and were still looking into the matter.

An autopsy in Augusta on Friday found that Mr. Brooks, also of Thomson, died of multiple gunshot wounds, said McDuffie County Coroner Rusha Mack.

An elderly Mableton, Ga., man crashed his car into the picnic area of the Georgia Welcome Center on Friday.

Witnesses said George Wade was trying to park his car when he jumped the curb and rammed into a brick column, according to Deputy Dennis West. He said Mr. Wade appeared disoriented and seemed to have pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. Both he and his wife, Inez Wade, were transported by Gold Cross Ambulance to Medical College of Georgia Hospital.

An Augusta Commission subcommittee will meet Tuesday to discuss the ongoing probe into the city's recreation department, committee chairman Commissioner Marion Williams said.

The meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the Municipal Building Room 802 at 530 Greene St.

In past meetings, recreation department director Tom Beck has been questioned about his authority to change job descriptions. The department also has been accused of violating city policy and procedures by setting up 20 credit card accounts and charging merchandise without going through the procurement process.

- From staff reports