Probation given in vehicular homicide case

LEESBURG, Ga. — Steven Mathis, 20, was sentenced in Lee County Superior Court Wednesday to two years probation and was banished from the city of Leesburg for the accidental death of a 14-year-old boy.

According to Don Lambreth, assistant district attorney for Lee County, Mathis was charged with vehicular homicide last April when Taylor Bailey, 14, was killed while trying to climb onto the back of the car Mathis was driving.

Evidence indicates there were three passengers other than Mathis inside the car with two individuals, including Bailey, on the back of the vehicle. An investigation showed that Bailey had fallen off the vehicle and was attempting to get back on when he fell again and was fatally injured. Officials say Bailey spent 17 days on medical support following the accident.

Lambreth called the the scenario of several people “car surfing” without proper safety considerations an unfortunate situation which ended in tragedy.

According to Lambreth, there was no evidence of alcohol, drugs or excessive speed in the incident. Neither was Mathis accused of malice in either of the two charges.

Mathis had pleaded nolo contendere, or no contest, to one charge of vehicular homicide in the first degree and one count of reckless driving.