Athens Man Charged with DUI, Vehicular Homicide After Deadly Motorcycle Crash

ATHENS, GA – On July 13, 2025, at approximately 2:09 a.m., the Athens-Clarke County Police Department responded to a vehicle crash at the intersection of North Thomas Street and East Hancock Avenue.

According to the initial investigation, 21-year-old Stephen Ford of Athens was driving a 2005 Chevrolet truck north on North Thomas Street when he attempted a left turn and collided with a southbound 1986 Yamaha 125XZ motorcycle.

The motorcyclist, identified as 38-year-old Jennifer McKillip of Athens, was transported to a local hospital, where she later died from her injuries. Ford was not injured in the crash.

Police arrested Ford and charged him with Failure to Yield While Turning Left, DUI-Alcohol, and Homicide by Vehicle in the 1st Degree. The case remains under investigation.

This marks the sixth fatality crash in Athens-Clarke County in 2025, resulting in a total of seven deaths.