68-year-old on lawn mower hit, killed by DUI driver replying to text, Ga. deputies say

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A Forsyth County man is dead after deputies say he was hit by a drunk driver as he was riding his lawn mower.

Deputies said Paul Nix, 68, was cutting his front yard’s grass off Hopewell Road near Church Road.

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Around 4 p.m., a driver crashed his white Ford Fusion going too fast near the curve and hit Nix.

Nix died at the scene. Deputies arrested 22-year-old Kenneth Johnson.

Investigators determined that Johnson was driving under the influence at the time of the crash. He failed a field sobriety test, according to the sheriff’s office.

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Deputies also found a cell phone on the ground near his car. They said it appeared Johnson was also sending a text message when the crash happened.

The sheriff’s office charged Johnson with the following: homicide by vehicle 1st Degree, driving under the influence, reckless driving, too fast for conditions, failure to maintain lane and writing/sending/reading texts While Driving.

Johnson is being held without bond at the Forsyth County Jail. Channel 2 Action News requested his booking photo and are waiting to receive it.

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