On August 30, 2013, a fatal crash in South Fulton County occurred, killing two people. This early Friday morning crash on I-20 took place in the westbound lanes of the interstate, just east of Fulton Industrial Boulevard.
According to the Fulton police, a Chevrolet Impala was the only car involved in this wreck. Police reported that the driver of the Impala was traveling at a high rate of speed and lost control of the car and crashed. The vehicle overturned several times and the passengers in the back seat were ejected.
The Impala was carrying four people at the time of the crash including the driver, front-seat passenger, and two back-seat passengers. According to authorities, the driver and the front-seat passenger were wearing their seat belts and survived the wreck; however, the two back-seat passengers were not wearing their seat belts, were thrown from the car, and died of their injuries.
The driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital for medical treatment, and the front seat passenger is expected to be fine. No charges have been made against driver Sherrod Barnes at this time; however, police are still investigating this fatal accident.
The victims have been identified as Nikinjee Barnes, niece of the driver, and 25-year-old Shanecia Bowen, mother of two young children—4-year-old Saniyah and 1-year-old Latham.
Family and friends gathered a few days later to hold a vigil to remember Shanecia Bowen at a neighborhood park in Smyrna and released hundreds of red balloons into the sky.
Shane Smith Law is saddened to hear of this tragic crash and would like to extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the families and friends of Shanecia Bowen and Nikinjee Barnes.