A Baldwin man faces multiple charges, including first-degree vehicular homicide, following a
deadly crash
in North Hall County on Friday, July 11.
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office says investigators arrested 31-year-old James David Molton after his release from the hospital. The charges stem from a single-vehicle wreck that happened around 3:20 p.m. on Oliver Mill Road near Forrester Road.
Molton was driving a 1996 Chrysler Concorde westbound when he lost control and hit a tree. According to the sheriff’s office, he was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time and in possession of a small amount of THC wax.
The crash killed 27-year-old Caitlyn Marie Butler of Gainesville, who died at the scene. Another backseat passenger, 23-year-old Melisa Sue Mann of Cleveland, sustained serious injuries. Molton and his front-seat passenger, 29-year-old Joseph Wolfgang Shumate of Gainesville, suffered minor injuries.
In addition to vehicular homicide, Molton is charged with two additional felonies for causing serious injury by vehicle and violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act. Deputies also charged him with five traffic misdemeanors, including DUI (drugs), reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, driving on the wrong side of the road, and tire violations.
Molton was booked into the Hall County Jail and is being held without bond.
