Driver charged in crash that killed 2 children on Victory Drive
A 32-year-old Columbus woman who was driving the car in which two children died in a single-vehicle crash on Saturday has been charged with homicide by vehicle.
According to the Muscogee County Jail, Francisca Taperia-Santiago has also been charged with failure to maintain lane, unsafe tires, no state driver’s license, reckless conduct causing harm/endangering safety and child restraint.
Juliana Camaja Taperia, 6, and her cousin, Jose Manuel Taperia, 13, both of Columbus, were killed in the crash.
According to the accident report, Taperia-Santiago and 10 passengers were traveling in an overloaded 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer when the vehicle went out of control around 1:30 p.m. Saturday. While the vehicle was traveling on the northbound ramp of Interstate 185 toward Victory Drive, she allegedly lost control while negotiating a turn.
The left front of the vehicle began to veer to the right where it crossed the outside lane and outside shoulder. The left front struck the outside guard rail causing the vehicle to trip and roll. It came to a final stop on its roof on the Victory Drive east ramp. There was extensive damage to the vehicle.
Multiple injuries were reported and the victims were transported to Midtown Medical Center for treatment. Details about their condition is unknown at the time.
According to a police report, among those in the vehicle were Amelia Taperia, 34, and children Juan Camaja, 13; Sherika Camaja-Taperia, infant; Raynal Do Taperia, 2; Alex Teletor, 15; Maria Taperia, 8; Priscilla Taperia, 1; and Reyna Taperia, 6.
Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said the children died at 2:18 p.m. of blunt-force injuries in the emergency room. Their bodies will be sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab for an autopsy.
The 6-year-old victim was found partially beneath the vehicle after it landed on its roof, the coroner said.
Bryan said it is unknown whether the occupants were using seat belts but he noted only five could have been strapped in the vehicle.
Larry Gierer: 706-571-8581, @lagierer
This story was originally published February 26, 2017 at 12:19 PM with the headline "Driver charged in crash that killed 2 children on Victory Drive."