Fortson pleads not guilty to vehicular homicide

Tiffany Fortson of Columbus pleaded not guilty to a charge of vehicular homicide in Columbus Recorder’s Court Monday afternoon.

Judge Mary Buckner gave the 33-year-old woman a $20,000 bond and sent the case to superior court.

She also gave Fortson a total of $900 in bond on four other charges and dismissed three.

Police said Shedrick McClain, 40, was driving a 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle westbound on Wynnton Road Saturday at 1:11 a.m. when an eastbound Pontiac Grand Am driven by Fortson approached 13th Street. Fortson turned left at the intersection and collided with McClain’s motorcycle.

Police said the front of the motorcycle struck the right corner of the Pontiac, causing McClain to be hurled from the motorcycle.

McClain was transported to Midtown Medical Center with life-threatening injuries while Fortson was treated after completing about chest pain.

McClain was pronounced dead of multiple injuries at 9:23 a.m. according to Muscogee County Chief Deputy Coroner Freeman Worley.

His body was taken to Atlanta for an autopsy.

During the investigation into the collision police said there was an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Fortson. In court, police said Fortson took a field sobriety test but refused a breathalyzer test. An officer said Fortson had slurred speech, glassy eyes and had difficulty with her balance.

Police said a styrofoam cup with alcohol was found in the vehicle.

A man identifying himself as Cantrell Clark said he was a passenger in the vehicle and the alcohol belonged to him.

This story was originally published May 23, 2016 at 4:11 PM with the headline "Fortson pleads not guilty to vehicular homicide."