Driver found guilty of Albany vehicular homicide

ALBANY — A Dougherty County found Demetria L. Harris guilty of vehicular homicide in the first degree on Thursday in connection with the June 2013 death of 31-year-old Natosha McCray.

In addition, the jury found Harris guilty on related charges of homicide by vehicle — leaving the scene, hit and run, driving while license suspended, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, reckless driving and speeding.

Police officials say that around 5:30 a.m., Harris was driving a Chevrolet Impala when she struck the victim, who was walking across West Oglethorpe Boulevard.

According to prosecutors, Harris failed to stop following the incident, and instead continued more than 800 feet with McCray still on the hood of the vehicle. After the victim fell from the car, Harris continued a few more blocks before colliding with a building, backing up and then crashing into a tree.

Previously, in April, 2013, police said Harris was arrested and charged with reckless driving, driving while license suspended, fleeing or attempting to elude police, failure to maintain lane, no insurance and use of a license plate to conceal or misrepresent a vehicle identification.

Police officials say that Harris, driving a black 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, entered the parking lot of Fox 31 Television on Stuart Avenue and proceeded to drive off the embankment facing Palmyra Road. She then continued north on Palmyra at a high rate of speed before losing control and striking a utility pole at Palmyra and Schley Avenue. Following the crash, Harris left the vehicle and fled on foot, officials say.

According to court officials, Harris will be sentenced at a later date.