UPDATE: No bond for homicide charge given for 3 charged in fatal Albany wreck

Suspects granted bond for other charges
Published: Oct. 14, 2019 at 10:54 AM EDT
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ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - One person is dead and three were charged after a crash involving a motorcycle that happened Saturday night, according to the Albany Police Department (APD).

Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler said Rashad Jerome Roberts, 32, died in the crash.

Justin Dorel Johnson, Kameron Isaiah Harris and Phillip Spearman, Jr. were all involved in the wreck and charged. All three were charged with vehicular homicide.

On Sunday morning, the three suspects had their first appearance.

All three will have to go before a superior court judge for bond for the homicide by vehicle charge.

All three were granted bond on reckless driving, racing on a highway and driving under the influence charges.

Dougherty County E-911 Dispatch said it happened in the 100 block of East Oakridge Drive just before 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

Police said a vehicle crossed the median on East Oakridge Drive and hit Roberts’ motorcycle head-on.

Four vehicles were involved and multiple injuries were also reported, police told WALB.

According to police, all three vehicles were stopped headed south on Radium Springs Road at Oakridge Drive. The vehicles turned right onto East Oakridge Drive and appeared to be racing.

Johnson who was driving a 2005 Audi A4 3.2 and Harris, who was driving a 2014 Chevrolet Camero LT were in the left inside lane. Spearman, who was driving a 2018 Dodge Challenger was in the right outside lane, according to police.

Johnson lost control of the vehicle and side-swiped Spearman, which forced him to hit the guardrail face on the northside of the concrete bridge, according to police.

Johnson drove over the median and continued driving west in the eastbound lanes. Roberts was traveling in the eastbound left inside lane on East Oakridge on his motorcycle, according to police.

Harris spun counter-clockwise and hit the guardrail face on the northside of the bridge and then hit the south guardrail face on the southside of East Oakridge Drive, according to police.

Johnson hit Roberts head-on and continued traveling west in the eastbound lanes until he hit the guardrail face on the southside of East Oakridge Drive.

Roberts died on the scene.

Johnson, Spearman and Harris were arrested, treated for injuries, and then taken to the Dougherty County Jail.

Investigators said the crash remains under investigation.

Roberts worked for the City of Albany’s Recreation and Parks Department before recently starting as an agent with the Animal Control Unit, according to APD.

Rashad Roberts, 32
Rashad Roberts, 32(Albany Police Department)

The Albany Police Department released a statement following the incident.


"Rashad was excited to be working with the Animal Control Unit. It was what he enjoyed. Although he was with APD for a brief time, we were proud to have him as a part of our team. Our condolences to his family."


Michael Persley, Albany Police Chief


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