Woman Who Stops To Help, Killed By Another Vehicle: Police

DULUTH, GA — The Gwinnett County Police Department is investigating a fatal accident on Interstate 85 northbound south of Pleasant Hill Road in unincorporated Duluth that happened Sunday at around 1 a.m.

Kayli Guthrie, 20, of Dacula, was hit and killed after stopping to check on a crashed vehicle.

Based on the preliminary police investigation, a Ford Explorer, driven by Elvester Sykes, 64, of Lawrenceville, hit the left median wall. Upon seeing this accident, Guthrie, stopped her vehicle and got out to check on the driver of the Ford Explorer.

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According to police, at the same time, Jonathan Gresham, 27, of Grayson, was approaching the accident scene in the left lane driving a Ford Fusion. Gresham attempted to brake, at which time his vehicle struck the rear of the Ford Explorer and continued between the Ford Explorer and the median wall. Guthrie was standing outside of her vehicle directly in the path of Gresham’s vehicle and she was struck by Gresham’s vehicle. Guthrie died on scene as a result of her injuries.

Gresham continued for a half mile before stopping and calling 911, police reported. Both vehicles were impounded to Gwinnett County Police Headquarters for further analysis.

Speed is being investigated as a probable factor, with impairment being investigated as a definite factor, police said.

Sykes was transported to a local hospital for treatment, and was charged with driving under the influence due to his initial traffic accident.

Gresham was arrested and charged with homicide by vehicle in the first degree, reckless driving, failure to drive within a single lane and driving under the influence.

This is an on-going investigation.