Kennesaw Man Charged in Fatal Bartow Wreck

By Kristal Dixon

Emerson, GA -- Police have arrested and charged a Cobb County man in connection to the fatal wreck that killed one person and injured another in Bartow County.

Austin Chase Willis, 21, of Kennesaw was booked into the Bartow County Jail Dec. 14 on one count each of homicide by vehicle, reckless driving and driving under the influence, said Emerson Police Chief Stan Bradley.

Kaitlin Smith, 21, of East Ridge, Tennessee, died in the Dec. 5 crash along U.S. 41 at the Red Top Mountain Connector, Bartow County Deputy Coroner Brandon Duncan previously told Patch.

Bartow County Emergency Medical Services crews from Fire Station 6 responded to the crash around 9 p.m.

Bartow County EMS spokesperson Brad Cothran said crews arrived on the scene to find two patients.

Smith, one of two patients in the car, “was dead upon their arrival,” and the second male patient has been transported to WellStar Kennestone Hospital for treatment, Cothran added.