SAVANNAH, GA (May 8, 2011): Charges have been filed against two Savannah men who police chased down on foot after the car they were in struck two vehicles, sending six victims and an unborn baby to hospitals Saturday.
Franklin Leonard James, 32, of a Hayward Street address, driver of the car, has been charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident and failure to give aid, obstruction, criminal trespass, improperly tinted windows, two counts of reckless driving, driving too fast for conditions, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in committing a crime, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of tools for commission of a crime, two counts of having no permit, failure to report an accident, failure to obey traffic control devices, and possession of a controlled substance. He also has three warrants against him for failure to pay child support.
Rashamel Marquise Lewis, 19,of West 55th Street, has been charged with possession of a firearm during commission of a crime, burglary, criminal trespass, obstruction by fleeing, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and two counts of possession of other controlled substances.
An expectant mother and her baby who was delivered in emergency surgery after the collision remain hospitalized. Five others were treated and released from two hospitals after the 2011 Toyota Camry driven by James crashed into a Honda motorcycle at Apache Avenue and Abercorn Street and then collided with a 2010 Pontiac at Apache and Mohawk Street.
Andrea Lovett Mann, 20, who was seven months pregnant and the front seat passenger of the Pontiac, remains hospitalized at Memorial University Medical Center where her baby is in critical condition. Audrey Mann, 45, of the 200 block of Varnedoe Drive, driver of the Pontiac, was treated and released, along with her passengers: Jeffery Mann, 20, Julius Bishop, (age not available) and Makenzie Smith, 21 months old. Everett Spencer, 76,of Midway, GA, driver of the Honda, was treated at St. Josephs Hospital and released.
James was travelling north on Apache about 3:15 p.m. and had stopped at a traffic light when he accelerated through the intersection against the light and struck the motorcycle head-on. He then sped North on Abercorn several blocks where the Toyota ran a four-way stop sign and broadsided the Pontiac, spinning it into a utility pole on the lawn of the city’s new fire station at Mohawk Street. The Pontiac and the pole were extensively burned.
James and Lewis ran from the collision. James was chased down by Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police in the nearby Hidden Lakes Subdivision. Lewis broke into a house on Queen’s Retreat to hide, was forced out by occupants, and arrested by police nearby. Each, earlier this year, had been released from serving prison terms for previous offenses, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections website.
Investigations into the incidents and the items found in the Toyota and in the areas around the collision and chase are continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at (912) 234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637). In the body type, include “CStop2020” plus the tip. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward
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