University of Georgia freshman Oliver Baylen Cope, 18, has been charged with murder after plowing his Dodge Challenger into a Taco Bell and injuring at least five people, one of whom died at a hospital, police say
A University of Georgia freshman whose car plowed into a Taco Bell and killed a woman has been charged with murder, police say.
Oliver Baylen Cope, of Statesboro, also faces four counts of aggravated assault and criminal damage to property in the September 28 crash, which injured several people, Swainsboro police Chief Randy J. Ellison told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Police further alleged that Cope might have drove his car into the Taco Bell intentionally.
The 18-year-old drove his car, a Dodge Challenger, into the Swainsboro restaurant’s dining area and pinned a child underneath, Ellison said.
The vehicle came right up to the Taco Bell’s front counter.
Ellison said that bystanders helped police lift the car off the child.
At least five people went to the hospital for injuries and 23-year-old Macy Lynn Mullis died shortly after her arrival, the chief said.
Macy Lynn Mullis, 23, died at a hospital after she was one of the at least five people injured in the crash. She was a corrections officer and is survived by her husband
Mullins is survived by her husband and worked as a corrections officer in Georgia.
Cope was enrolled as a freshman majoring in biology, according to a University of Georgia spokesman.
Police have not established a motive, the Statesboro Herald reports. They told the Herald they ‘have no idea’ why Cope drove into the restaurant, and said he knew none of the customers inside or the employees.
But they do allege that the crash was intentional.
After the crash, Cope went to police and identified himself as the driver.
Investigators also await a toxicology report to determine whether or not he was under the influence.
Swainsboro police and the Georgia State Patrol are still investigating the crash.