Bond Denied for Alabama Man After Crash In Northwest Georgia Kills One-Year-Old Child

Bond has been denied for an Anniston, Alabama man following his arrest in a July 4 crash in Polk County that claimed the life of a one-year-old child.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, the wreck happened around 2:50 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 100 and Fields Road south of Cedartown. Troopers say a Ford Mustang was traveling too fast to negotiate a curve, left the right side of the roadway, and struck a concrete culvert head-on.

Investigators said the one-year-old child was in the front seat and was not in a car seat. The child was taken to Floyd Medical Center, where she died from her injuries on Sunday.

The driver, Ezzie Tommy Harrison of Anniston, Alabama, remains in the Polk County Jail. He is facing multiple charges, including felony first-degree vehicular homicide, DUI, endangering a child while DUI, child restraint violation, failure to maintain lane, no insurance, failure to exercise due care, and no registration.

LaFayette Man Killed In Motorcycle Crash On Shinbone Valley Road In Menlo

A LaFayette man was killed Saturday evening following a motorcycle crash on Shinbone Valley Road in Menlo, according to Chattooga County Coroner Jeremy A. McElhaney.

Authorities said the Chattooga County E-911 Center notified the coroner’s office at approximately 6:18 PM on Saturday, May 16, 2026, regarding a fatal motor vehicle accident.

Upon arrival at the scene, Coroner McElhaney pronounced 39-year-old James Cody Penland dead at the scene.

Preliminary information indicates Penland was the sole operator of a motorcycle that left the roadway and struck a tree. The crash was reportedly discovered and called in by a passer-by. Investigators do not believe anyone else was involved.

The Georgia State Patrol is continuing to investigate the cause of the accident.

Responding agencies included the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, Atrium Floyd EMS, and the Menlo Fire Department.