Arrest made in deadly 2024 Troup County crash investigation
CNAW2News.com has learned an arrest has been made in connection with a deadly crash in Troup County.
Viviana Hefziba Oropeza, 20, was booked into the Troup County Jail following an investigation by Georgia State Patrol.
Image: The Georgia Gazette
She is charged with second-degree homicide by vehicle and failure to yield after stopping at a stop sign.
The charges stem from a crash that happened May 16, 2024, at the intersection of State Route 14 and Whitfield Road.
According to the crash report obtained through an open records request, Oropeza was driving a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan and was stopped at the intersection before attempting to proceed. Investigators said she failed to yield after stopping at the stop sign and entered the intersection.
Image: Georgia State Patrol crash reconstruction map
Troopers said the Tiguan was then struck on the rear passenger side by a northbound 2020 Ram 3500 owned by the Troup County Board of Education and driven by a man from LaGrange.
After the impact, the Tiguan reportedly spun two full rotations, left the roadway and struck a stop sign before coming to rest facing east. The Ram continued north before coming to a controlled stop on the east shoulder of State Route 14.
Troopers said two passengers in the Tiguan were ejected during the crash. The report states the rear-seat passengers were not restrained at the time of the collision.
An 18-year-old male passenger was taken to Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center by AMR. A 17-year-old female was flown to Grady Memorial Hospital by Lifesaver 4.
A third passenger, Mary Joy Moosman, 17, was flown to Grady Memorial Hospital by Lifesaver 3 and was later pronounced dead from her injuries.
According to investigators, Oropeza told troopers she never saw the approaching truck and only noticed it after entering the intersection. She said she tried to avoid the crash by accelerating but was unsuccessful.
The LaGrange driver told troopers the Tiguan pulled out in front of him and that he attempted to brake but could not avoid the collision.
A witness stopped across the intersection on Williowood Road told investigators the Tiguan entered the intersection and was struck before rotating and leaving the roadway.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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