Two charged with vehicular homicide in Catoosa County wreck
by Adam Cook
Jul 24, 2012 | 5070 views | 0 0 comments | 22 22 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Dean Butt (left) and Rene Preciado Jr.
Dean Butt (left) and Rene Preciado Jr.
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Georgia State Patrol trooper Stephanie Maddux collects and examines evidence at the crash scene. (Contributed photo/Georgia State Patrol)
Georgia State Patrol trooper Stephanie Maddux collects and examines evidence at the crash scene. (Contributed photo/Georgia State Patrol)
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Two men have been charged with first-degree vehicular homicide and DUI following a two-car accident in Catoosa County in which a teenager was killed.

According to the Georgia State Patrol:

Thirteen-year-old Adrian Martinez died early Sunday morning, July 22, after the vehicle he was riding in flipped on Dogwood Valley Road in Catoosa County and was struck by another vehicle, while the two cars were traveling to a party.

Dean T. Butt, 23, of Crandall, Ga., who was driving the vehicle carrying Martinez, has been charged with first-degree vehicular homicide, DUI, weaving, child endangerment, reckless driving, and speeding.

Rene Preciado Jr., 25, of Chatsworth, who was driving the second vehicle, has been charged with first-degree vehicular homicide, DUI, reckless driving and speeding.

The accident occurred about 1:30 a.m. when Butt lost control of the Chevrolet Cobalt that was carrying Martinez in the back seat.

“The lead vehicle was traveling way too fast when the driver lost control in a curve and flipped the vehicle onto its top,” trooper Stephanie Maddux said. “While the car was lying overturned in the roadway, it was struck by the second car, which was also traveling at a high rate of speed.”

Martinez was not wearing a seatbelt.

Both drivers suffered injuries, as did Martinez’s uncle, who was riding in the front passenger seat of the Cobalt.

Early statements from witnesses indicate the drivers had left a party in Whitfield County to go to a “better” party in Catoosa County.

“The investigation is still ongoing at this time,” Maddux said. “We are still interviewing people in the case, and trying to gather as much information as possible.”

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