Crime & Safety

Update: Meadowcreek High Student Dies in Car Crash, Driver Arrested

The collision occurred on Steve Reynolds Boulevard near Beaver Ruin Road in unincorporated Norcross.

Update, May 1, 10:30 a.m.

DeJon Wideman was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with vehicular homicide, three counts of serious injury by vehicle, improper lane change and reckless driving, according to the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department docket book.

He was driving the vehicle that contained Johlonda Lindsey, the Meadowcreek student who died.

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Update, April 30, 10:30 p.m.

Find out what's happening in Norcrosswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

It’s been a tragic week for Norcross students.

Just one day after the news broke of student Alex Mora from a car-surfing incident, another vehicular collision early Sunday morning resulted in the death of one student and injuries to four others.

Johlanda Lindsey, 16, of Norcross, died early Sunday in a car crash near Steve Reynolds Boulevard and Beaver Ruin Road, according to Gwinnett County Police. Kendra Walker, 16, Colleena Walker, 15, and DeJon Wideman, 19, were in the same car as Lindsey and suffered injuries. Freddie Banks, the driver in the other vehicle, also suffered serious injuries.

They were all students at Meadowcreek, and they were headed to an prom after-party, according to Assistant Principal Dr. Otis Lane.

The police report states that Wideman was speeding in a Chevy Trailblazer on Steve Reynolds Boulevard toward Club Drive April 29 around 12:25 a.m. To avoid hitting a vehicle in front of him, he swerved in the southbound lane and slid sideways into the end of a Ford Freestar, driven by Banks. This caused Wideman's car to overturn and eject two of its passengers, one of them being Lindsey.

The report states that speeding played a factor in the accident, and they don't believe alcohol was involved.

Wideman, a Norcross resident, was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with vehicular homicide, three counts of serious injury by vehicle, improper lane change and reckless driving, according to the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department docket book.

Cpl. Edwin Ritter of Gwinnett Police told the Gwinnett Daily Post that reports of racing are under investigation.

At the school Sunday, community members, students and faculty attended a vigil in honor of Lindsey. Others left remembrances near the accident site on Steve Reynolds Boulevard, and people were still seen at the site Monday evening. Flowers, teddy bears and balloons were among the different items the community placed there.

The assitant principal said all after-school activities were cancelled Monday and grief counselors were available to students. still took place, however, but Lindsey was .

"The students did great today, really great," said Lane on Monday.

Check back with Norcross Patch for updates.

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