From Staff Reports
Teen dies after early-morning wreck
An Augusta teen is dead after a car crash Saturday morning.
Victor Hugo Martinez, 17, of the 2500 block of Center West Parkway, died at Medical College of Georgia Hospital and Clinics after suffering injuries from the wreck, said Richmond County Chief Deputy Coroner Mark Bowen.
Mr. Martinez was in the back seat of a 2001 Ford Explorer at 4:55 a.m. when the driver, Daniel Gonzalez, 23, of the 2500 block of Center West Parkway, hit a median and flipped about three times, less than a block away from their home. Mr. Bowen said no one in the car was wearing a seatbelt.
Mr. Gonzalez and the front seat passenger left the scene. Sheriff's deputies later found Mr. Gonzalez and arrested him, said Cpl. Gary Jones. Authorities charged him with homicide by a vehicle in the first degree, driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident, open container of alcohol and other traffic violations. An autopsy will be performed Monday.