Tragedy for the family of a Forsyth woman continues to mount following charges the husband now faces as a result of an investigation of the fatal accident.
Zachary Schwartz was charged last week with first degree vehicular homicide, which is a felony, and misdemeanor charges of DUI less safe and DUI refusal, possession of marijuana and reckless driving.
Schwartz turned himself into the Jones County Sheriff Office Jan. 12 after being informed of the charges.
Allison Schwartz, 31, lost her life in the Dec. 28 accident that happened on Barron Russell Road. The cause of her death was determined to be the injuries she received in the accident reported at approximately 2:30 a.m. that morning.
The report of the accident stated Allison Schwartz was a passenger on a 2018 Polaris UTV that was driven by Zachary. The vehicle was traveling westbound toward Round Oak-Juliette Road. The location of the accident was approximately two miles down Barron Russell Road.
Deputy Christopher Shurley’s report stated he received information that the UTV was traveling when a dead pine tree from the wood line fell across the roadway. The driver reportedly applied the brakes and left approximately 32 feet of marks prior to impact.
The impact snapped the tree, and the vehicle continued another 24 feet, where it struck the eastbound embankment. The front left axle was broken, and the passenger was ejected, suffering fatal injuries.
The driver was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Shurley’s initial report of the accident stated that the driver was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident but refused testing. A warrant was obtained to get blood draws from him at the hospital.
The update about the charges were posted on the JCSO Facebook page Jan. 13.
