Driver Charged with Vehicular Homicide After High-Speed Chase Ends in Fatal Crash

On Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 1:37 AM, the Rome Police Department (RPD) attempted to stop a Black Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye speeding over 100 miles-per-hour on Shorter Avenue, near Lavender Drive. The officer initiated a pursuit but lost sight of the vehicle due to its extreme speed. A lookout was issued for the Charger to other officers.

Minutes later, the Dodge Charger was spotted by an officer on Riverside Parkway driving over 100 miles per hour. The vehicle collided head-on with a Honda Accord on Turner McCall Boulevard. The crash resulted in the deaths of the Honda’s driver, Kadrian Harris, and passenger Malik Henderson. A one-year-old infant, Riley Harris, was seriously injured.

The Dodge Charger caught fire immediately after the crash. Its driver, Omar Garcia, was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Garcia has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, serious injury by vehicle, DUI, driving without a valid license, felony fleeing/attempting to elude, reckless driving, and driving too fast for conditions. He was booked into the Floyd County Jail on Wednesday.