SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — A judge denied the motion for bond to the driver charged with killing a South Fulton police officer in court Thursday.
Santoria McLean is accused of driving under the influence and crossing the center line on Flat Shoals Road while driving nearly 100 mph, resulting in the head-on crash on April 15.
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South Fulton Capt. Helio Garcia III died at the scene.
In court Thursday, family members of Garcia spoke and asked the judge to deny the bond motion, Channel 2’s Tyisha Fernandes reported.
Garcia’s father spoke about the grief the family has faced, including how his son had previously lost a child he said suffered medical issues due to a car crash shortly before he was born.
“I lost my son, my firstborn. I lost my first grandson,” Helio Garcia Jr. said in court. “Now both of them are buried together your honor. What more can I say?
Statements were also read on behalf of the wife and daughter of Helio Garcia III.
McLean’s attorney asked the judge for a bond of $50,000 and questioned the speed of 98 mph the prosecutor said she was traveling. He said the defense had not seen evidence confirming McLean’s speed the night of the crash.
He also said McLean, who sat in a wheelchair in court, had serious health issues that may not be adequately addressed in jail.
Fellow South Fulton officers were also in the courtroom in support of Garcia’s family.
The judge told attorneys he wants them to figure out a date for a jury trial.
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