Albany Man Charged with First-Degree Vehicular Homicide After Passenger Killed in Crash

ALBANY, Georgia – A 37-year-old Albany man has been arrested in connection with a late-night crash that left a female passenger dead earlier this week.

According to the Dougherty County Police Department, officers responded around 10:48 p.m. on Monday, February 10, 2026, to the 900 block of Holly Drive after reports that a vehicle had struck a tree.

When officers arrived, they found a heavily damaged 2009 gray Nissan Altima. The driver was identified as Jartavious Bernard Frazier, 37, of Albany.

Inside the vehicle, officers located 37-year-old Emonica Shantel Dawson, also of Albany, unresponsive in the front passenger seat. She was not breathing when first responders arrived. The Albany Fire Department began life-saving measures before Dawson was transported to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.

Investigators reported observing indicators of impairment during their on-scene assessment. Based on the findings of the investigation, Frazier was arrested.

He is charged with First-Degree Homicide by Vehicle, Driving Under the Influence – Less Safe, and Failure to Maintain Lane. After receiving medical clearance, he was transported to the Dougherty County Jail.

Authorities say the case is cleared by arrest, though the investigation remains active pending any additional findings.