CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — A 19-year-old college student accused of causing a crash that killed a 2-year-old was street racing when the accident happened, according to police.
Randal Holsey was driving 103 mph down Tara Boulevard on Jan. 17 when he blew through a red light and hit eight cars, police say. A 2-year-old girl identified as Nevaeh Clemm was ejected from one of the cars and died at the scene. Three other people, including a 4-year-old, were taken to the hospital in critical condition.
In court Thursday, police said they believe Holsey was street racing at the time of the crash, but Holsey's attorney told a different story. He said the 19-year-old was a high school honor roll student and was doing well in college when the accident happened. He blamed the crash on the driver of the car with Nevaeh inside.
Jones spoke with Nevaeh's father, Tyrone Clemm, who said the crash happened less than two years after Nevaeh's older brother died. Five-year-old Taeveon Clemm lost his battle with a rare brain cancer two years ago.
Tyrone Clemm said Nevaeh was full of life. He said she loved to laugh, dance and dress up.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Burned body found near dumpster at DeKalb County park
- Active tuberculosis cases confirmed in two Floyd County elementary schools
- 'Fortnite' concerns: Doctors seeing game-obsessed children for health issues
A business owner said she saw Holsey's car speeding down the road.
"I see the car coming fast," the business owner said. "The lady said, 'The baby, the baby.'"
Holsey now faces several charges, including first-degree vehicular homicide, street racing and reckless driving.
"Nobody is disputing he was speeding," Holsey's attorney, Manny Arora, said.
Arora wasn't sure the car's computer reading showing his client was going 103 mph is accurate.
"Because I've had ACM cases in the past where there is always some discrepancy depending on how bad the impact was," Arora said.
Police said surveillance cameras captured Holsey trying to stop a black car from passing.
Arora told the court that Nevaeh's mother may have pulled out into traffic and the child wasn't strapped into a car seat.