Pedestrian Killed by DUI Driver in Atlanta

A woman was killed while crossing a downtown Atlanta street after a DUI driver struck her near a crosswalk in the early morning hours of June 28. The driver was arrested at the scene and now faces charges including vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, and reckless driving.

What Happened at Courtland and Auburn

According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Atlanta police responded to the intersection of Courtland Avenue NE and Auburn Avenue NE at approximately 2:49 a.m. after receiving a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. A 50-year-old woman had been crossing the street near the crosswalk when a southbound Jeep Wrangler hit her. Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver remained at the crash site. Police charged her with homicide by vehicle, DUI, DUI less safe, reckless driving, and an open container violation. The victim’s name has not been publicly released.

Georgia’s Vehicular Homicide Law

Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-393), a driver who causes a death while committing certain traffic offenses, including DUI, can be charged with first-degree vehicular homicide. A conviction carries a mandatory prison sentence of three to fifteen years. But criminal charges only address punishment. They do not compensate the victim’s family for what they have lost. That is the purpose of a civil wrongful death claim, and the two cases run on completely independent tracks.

Civil Claims After a Fatal DUI Crash

Georgia law allows the surviving spouse, children, or parents of a person killed by a drunk driver to file a wrongful death lawsuit. These civil claims operate under a lower burden of proof than a criminal prosecution and can result in compensation for:

• The full value of the life of the person who was killed
• Lost financial support and future earning capacity
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and care
• Medical and funeral expenses incurred because of the crash

Proving a DUI case in civil court often relies on toxicology results, police reports, witness testimony, and surveillance footage from the area. Families should act quickly to preserve that evidence before it is lost or overwritten.

An Atlanta, GA DUI crash lawyer who handles wrongful death cases can manage the civil claim while criminal proceedings continue separately.

Why Pedestrian DUI Crashes Are So Deadly

Pedestrians have no protection from the force of a vehicle. Crashes at dangerous Atlanta intersections become far more deadly when a driver is impaired, particularly during late-night hours when visibility drops and reaction times are significantly slower.

When drunk drivers cause harm, families are left with funeral costs, lost income, and the permanent absence of someone they depended on. These losses are measurable under Georgia law.

An Atlanta wrongful death lawyer experienced in DUI fatality cases can help families pursue accountability even while the criminal case is still pending.

Contact an Atlanta Injury Attorney

Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. has represented families across the Atlanta area for over 16 years in cases involving drunk driving, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury. Andrew Lynch’s own teenage sister was killed by a drunk driver in 1996, and that experience continues to drive the work he does for every client.

If your family has been affected by a fatal DUI crash, an Atlanta personal injury lawyer residents trust can review your case and help you understand your options.