Augusta man indicted on new driving charges in near fatal crash

April 30--A 24-year-old Augusta man accused of drunken driving when he caused a vehicle crash that nearly killed his friend was indicted this week.

The Richmond County grand jury returned an indictment against Carlos L. Coleman that accuses him of serious injury by vehicle, reckless driving, driving under the influence, failure to maintain lane, driving on a suspended license and driving without insurance.

Coleman was still on misdemeanor probation in connection with a 2012 DUI when he crashed his vehicle on Bobby Jones Expressway on Oct. 19. According to the test results for blood alcohol content, Coleman was well above the legal limit of 0.08 three hours after the

crash.

According to the indictment, Deandre R. Clark suffered crushing and fracturing injuries to his legs, pelvis, chest, lungs, ribs, one kidney, and his spine.

Coleman was charged with drunken driving, driving on a suspended license and failure to maintain a lane after a sheriff's deputy reported that Coleman nearly struck his vehicle on Olive Road in March 2012.

Coleman pleaded guilty in Richmond County State Court to those charges Sept. 21, 2012. He was sentenced to 36 months on probation.

In March, his Sentinel Offender Services probation officer filed for a probation violation warrant alleging Coleman had failed to pay fines and fees, report to the officer, and failed to show proof he completed a safe driving class and clinical evaluation.

The probation warrant doesn't include any information about the Oct. 19 crash or the new charges, according to court records.

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