Clayton News Daily

By Linda Looney-Bond

lbond@news-daily.com

A man, who allegedly caused the death of a motorcycle rider, while he drove under the influence in August, has been indicted by a Clayton County grand jury.

Lamar Jason Johnson, 18, was indicted Wednesday in the death of Rosa Mae Ragin, 36. The incident occurred Aug. 8, on Ga. Hwy 139 at Flat Shoals Road, in College Park, according to a warrantless arrest affidavit filed in Clayton County Magistrate Court by Clayton County Police.

According to the affidavit, Johnson was driving a 1996 Ford Van southbound on Ga. Hwy 139, when he struck the rear of a Suzuki motorcycle occupied by Ragin and Thomas Brown, 35.

"The collision ejected both occupants of the motorcycle, and resulted in serious disfigurement to the person of Brown," police wrote in the affidavit.

"Brown suffered extensive lacerations and road rash to approximately 30 percent of his body. The collision also caused the death of Ragin," the document states.

Johnson did not stop his vehicle at, or near, the accident scene, nor return to provide information or assistance, the affidavit states.

Upon leaving the scene, Johnson allegedly continued southbound on Ga. Hwy 139, and eventually fled on foot, according to court records.

"Upon making contact, he had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath and person, red, glassy eyes, and slurred speech," police stated in the affidavit.

Johnson provided a "breath sample into a portable alcosensor," according to police.

His indictment is on charges of homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence, reckless driving, serious injury by vehicle, aggravated assault, and failure to stop at, or return to, the scene of an accident, according to court documents.

He is represented by Attorney Ashley Palmer, according to the Clayton Judicial Circuit Public Defender's Office. Palmer could not be reached for comment on Thursday.