The tragic incident that claimed the life of South Fulton Police Department’s Capt. Helio Garcia continues to unfold, as 31-year-old Santoria Latrice McLean has been officially charged with causing the fatal head-on collision. McLean, an Atlanta resident, faces several charges, including first-degree vehicular homicide—a felony, improper/erratic lane change, reckless driving, and driving too fast for conditions. Following her first court appearance last Friday, she was denied bond and is currently held at the Fulton County Jail, FOX 5 Atlanta reports.
According to warrants cited by 11Alive, McLean is accused of “reckless disregard” for the safety of others. She allegedly was driving between 80 and 96 miles per hour on a stretch of road with a 45 miles per hour speed limit. These details emerge as authorities have determined to conclusively report that McLean’s vehicle was traveling 96 mph in the seconds leading up to the collision—information extracted from the vehicle’s Airbag Control Module.
The devastation of this event resonates profoundly within the South Fulton Police Department and the community. Garcia, a figure known for both his leadership in establishing the department and for his devotion as a husband and father, left a substantial impact on those around him. Police Chief Keith Meadows expressed his personal loss, stating, “Certainly he’s been not only a leader of this police department, but he’s also been a great friend to me and this organization,” in an interview given last month covered by 11Alive…