On Tuesday, July 17, 2012, a fatal auto accident in Atlanta occurred on the Interstate 85 exit ramp to 17th, 14th, and 10th streets, near the Atlantic Station. According to the Atlanta Police, a 31-year-old was traveling southbound on the exit ramp when he hit the guardrail on the 17th exit ramp from I-85 southbound at approximately 2:30 a.m.
This early Tuesday morning crash caused Ronnie Bascom Jr., the driver, to get out of his vehicle and investigate the crash scene. At that point, another vehicle struck him. The driver of the second car ended up crashing into the concrete wall, causing his vehicle to catch on fire.
The second driver, Joshua Taylor, 36, had to be pulled from his burning car by police. Rescue workers took him to Grady Memorial Hospital for medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
Bascom was pronounced dead at the accident scene. Just the day before his death, he tweeted, “Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but the moments that take our breath away.” Friends told reporters they will miss Bascom and described him as a well-loved man.
Taylor has been charged with vehicular homicide and DUI less safe. He could face future charges for lying to police officers. He told the police that someone else was driving his car. On Wednesday morning, he was denied bond by a magistrate at his first court appearance and is being held at Fulton County Jail awaiting his next court appearance on August 1, 2012.
Our Georgia DUI victim lawyers at Shane Smith Law are deeply saddened to hear of this fatal accident. We would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Ronnie Bascom Jr.