Jury Indicts Man For Homicide By Vehicle

The Jeff Davis County Grand Jury last week indicted Manuel Gonzalez on a charge of homicide by vehicle in the first degree in connection with the Nov. 24, 2018, death of Willie Bratcher of Hazlehurst.
Gonzalez was charged in a 7-count indictment for homicide by vehicle in the first degree, driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle in the first degree, driving under the influence (less safe) (alcohol), homicide by vehicle in the second degree, failure to yield right of way and driving without a license.
The indictment alleges Gonzalez was driving a 2001 Dodge Ram truck with an alcohol concentration of .08 grams or more when he attempted to turn left from the Alma Highway (Georgia 19) onto Hulett Wooten Farm Road into the path of a 2000 Chevrolet S10 pickup driven by Bratcher.
In other indictments, James Bernard Benjamin was indicted in a 3-count indictment for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, illegal substances within 1,000 ft. of a park and possession of marijuana less than an ounce. The indictment accuses Benjamin of possessing cocaine and marijuana near Mary McLean Park on Young Street on Nov. 1.
Joshua Allen Eason was charged with aggravated child molestation and aggravated sexual battery in connection with a May 6 incident involving a child under the age of 16.
Rodney Raynard King Jr. was indicted on two counts of sale of cocaine and illegal substances within 1,000 ft. of a park. He is alleged to have sold cocaine on Aug. 5 and Aug. 21, with the latter being within 1,000 ft. of Mary McLean Park.
Kiearie Sunburn Parker was indicted on one count of sale of cocaine on Aug. 2.
Jonathan Tucker Powell was indicted on a count of burglary in the first degree. He is accused entering a house on Elderberry Road, Hazlehurst, between Sept. 14 and Sept. 15.