Collision on Wynnton Road leaves one dead, one charged
A collision early Saturday on Wynnton Road left a Columbus man dead and a Columbus woman charged with driving under the influence, police said.
Shedrick McClain, 40, was pronounced dead of multiple injuries at Midtown Medical Center at 9:23 a.m., said Muscogee County Chief Deputy Coroner Freeman Worley. McClain’s body will be transported to the crime lab in Atlanta for an autopsy.
Police charged Tiffany Fortson, 33, with driving under the influence of alcohol, having an open container and failing to yield in connection with the 1:11 a.m. crash. She is held in the Muscogee County Jail for an 8 a.m. Monday hearing in Columbus Recorder’s Court.
McClain was driving a 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle westbound on Wynnton Road when an eastbound 1998 Pontiac Grand AM driven by Fortson approached 13th Street, police said. Fortson turned left at the intersection and collided with the motorcycle.
The front of the motorcycle struck the right front corner of the Pontiac, causing McClain to be hurled from the bike.
McClain was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries while Fortson was treated after complaining about chest pain.
During the investigation into the collision, police said there was an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Fortson. A field sobriety test determined that Fortson was under the influence at the time of the crash. More charges may be pending in connection with the crash, because the victim was still being treated shortly after the crash.
Bernice McClain said she and her fiance were at T.G.I. Friday’s restaurant Friday night, and he was happy about his son graduating from Carver High School on Saturday.
She said Shedrick McClain was headed to their home on Ada Avenue when his Harley collided with the car.
Over the last four or five years, he had become fond of riding his motorcycle, she said.
Ben Wright: 706-571-8576, @bfwright87
This story was originally published May 21, 2016 at 11:40 AM with the headline "Collision on Wynnton Road leaves one dead, one charged."