Suspect In Deadly Crash Arrested In Athens-Clarke County

ATHENS, GA — A 30-year-old Athens man is facing vehicular homicide charges in connection with an Athens crash that killed a Commerce man.

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department on Thursday said John Orchard was arrested this week in connection with the Dec. 17, 2024 crash that killed Edward Nadeau, 56.

Police said the crash happened around 8:30 p.m. on Macon Highway near the Garden Lane intersection.

Orchard was accused of driving a Toyota MR2 east on Macon and hitting the back of a Jeep Gladiator that turned onto the road, police said. The Jeep then left the roadway and stopped in a vacant lot near Garden, police said.

The 30-year-old Braselton driver of the Jeep suffered minor injuries; but, police said Nadeau, who was a passenger in the Toyota, later died at a local hospital. Police said Orchard suffered non-threatening injuries.

Orchard was arrested by the Clarke County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday and was charged on suspicion of first-degree homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence and following too close, police said.