State Patrol: Trooper Was Doing 90 Before Crash That Killed 2 Teens

The Georgia State Patrol trooper who was involved in the accident that killed two South Paulding High School students last weekend in Carroll County has been terminated.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety said in a news release Trooper First Class A.J. Scott was travelling above the posted speed limit when his patrol car crashed into a car with four teens inside, including Kylie Lindsey, 17, and Isabella Chinchilla, 16, who were both killed.

The accident happened around 11:35 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26.

ALSO READ

• SPHS Teens Killed in Weekend Accident
• Services Set for Paulding Teens Killed in Weekend Wreck

Lindsey and Chinchilla were passengers. Injured were driver Dillon L. Wall, 18, of Douglasville, and passenger Benjamin A. Finken, 17, also of Douglasville, according to the state patrol. Scott also was injured.

Preliminary findings by the GSP showed the teens were attempting to turn left from Ga. 1/U.S. 27 onto Holly Springs Drive in Carroll County when the crash happened.

Georgia Public Safety Public Information Officer Capt. Mark S. Perry said in a news release subsequent investigation revealed the trooper was traveling 90 mph in a 55 mph speed zone five seconds before the crash, and around 66 at the time of impact.

“TFC Scott was operating his vehicle without emergency equipment activated and was not responding to an emergency situation,” Perry said in the news release. “Based upon information gathered during the investigation, an adverse action has been proposed against TFC Scott terminating his employment with the Georgia Department of Public Safety effective October 7, 2015.”

Perry said the finding of the investigation, when completed, will be referred to the District Attorney of the Coweta Judicial Circuit.

Photo: Trooper First Class A.J. Scott; Credit, Georgia State Patrol