A Georgia boy is dead and another critically injured after a driver lost control of his car and crashed into a Covington home on Monday. The driver will likely facing charges, according to authorities.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Luke McWilliams (pictured right) and Braden Stevenson (pictured left), both 12, were inside Braden’s grandmother’s garage off of Kirkland Road on Monday afternoon when the incident occurred. Braden’s grandmother gave him a hamster as an early Christmas present, but the hamster had apparently gotten loose, spurring the boys, both on Thanksgiving break, to search for it in the garage.
Here’s the house in Covington where a car crashed into the garage, killing one boy and hurting another, after they’d gone into the garage to look for their missing hamster.
Our interview with the father of the boy who died — at 11. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/gLnpqvtr2Q— Justin Wilfon (@JustinWilfonWSB) November 22, 2018
According to police, 34-year-old Karlrio Kelsey lost control of his 1997 Dodge Ram while driving down the residential street and ended up slamming into the garage, pinning Braden against a wall after running over Luke.
While Luke underwent seven hours of surgery at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston and remains in critical condition, Braden succumbed to his injuries. He was pronounced dead at Piedmont Newton Hospital.
Braden Stevenson was on the phone with his dad on Monday when tragedy struck.
His father tells me the story, at 11. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/CH1g1WFtWc— Justin Wilfon (@JustinWilfonWSB) November 22, 2018
Luke was scheduled for another surgery on Thanksgiving, but “complications regarding his kidneys and a high grade fever” among other medical issues, prevented it. He’s now in a medically-induced coma while doctors continue to monitor him, hoping to stabilize his condition.
Braden’s father, Corey Stevenson, was on the phone with his son with the tragic incident occurred. Corey said he could hear the crash as it took place but felt helpless, according to Atlanta’s Channel 2 Action News.
“We were talking about the box, and we were talking about the hamster, and I guess him and Lucas were out there in the garage, and then it just sounded like a car crash. Two kids in a garage looking for a hamster out of innocence, out of love… and out of nowhere a vehicle comes crashing into your garage. No one can imagine that. I couldn’t imagine it.”
It’s still unclear why Kelsey crashed into the home or whether her was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Authorities indicated that charges against the driver are probable.
The story is still developing. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.
[Feature Photo: Braden Stevenson/GoFundMe & Luke McWilliams/GoFundMe]