Driver in Wynnton Road wreck faces additional charge of vehicular homicide

May 23--The woman orginally charged with driving under the influence and other traffic charges in connection with Saturday morning's fatal wreck on Wynnton Road now faces one felony count of vehicular homicide.

Tiffany Fortson, 33, of Columbus was scheduled to appear in Recorder's Court today at 8 a.m. to face her original charges, which include driving under the influence of alcohol, having an open container and failing to yield.

Her hearing was continued until 2 p.m. today after she was given additional charges of vehicular homicide, serious injury by vehicle, no proof of insurance, improper left turn, no state tag and entering a roadway. Each one stems from the 1:11 a.m. crash that killed 40-year-old Shedrick McClain, according to Columbus police.

Authorities said McClain was driving a 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle westbound on Wynnton Road when an eastbound 1998 Pontiac Grand AM driven by Fortson approached 13th Street, police said. Fortson turned left at the intersection and collided with the motorcycle.

The front of the motorcycle struck the right front corner of the Pontiac, causing McClain to be hurled from the bike.

McClain was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries while Fortson was treated after complaining about chest pain.

McClain was pronounced dead of multiple injuries at Midtown Medical Center at 9:23 a.m., said Muscogee County Chief Deputy Coroner Freeman Worley. His body was transported to the crime lab in Atlanta for an autopsy.

During the investigation into the collision, police said there was an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Fortson. A field sobriety test determined that Fortson was under the influence at the time of the crash. More charges may be pending in connection with the crash, because the victim was still being treated shortly after the crash.

Bernice McClain said she and her fiance were at T.G.I. Friday's restaurant Friday night, and he was happy about his son graduating from Carver High School on Saturday.

She said Shedrick McClain was headed to their home on Ada Avenue when his Harley collided with the car.

Over the last four or five years, he had become fond of riding his motorcycle, she said.

Sarah Robinson: 706-571-8622, @sarahR_92

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