Outrage as driver who killed high school honor student escapes DUI charge despite shocking jailhouse tapes
The family of a teenage girl killed at a zebra crossing are furious after the driver escaped a drink-driving charge – despite a damning jail stint with his wife.
Jerome “Jerry” Cox, 69, was convicted Friday of vehicular homicide for the December 2023 death of Harrison High School student Olivia Pugh, 16.
Pugh, an honors student, became stuck and killed while crossing Ben King Road in Kennesaw, near Atlanta, by Cox, who police said was under the influence. She died two days later at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital on December 10, 2023.
She and her friends had enjoyed an evening seeing the Christmas light display nearby.
However, a jury found Cox not guilty of being under the influence of alcohol and not guilty of failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and an open container, according to 11 Alive.
The 69-year-old avoided charges despite jurors hearing a jailhouse recording between Cox and his wife in which they discussed how much they drank.
“Well, I told him we had two beers at home. “I told him that,” his wife said on the phone.
‘Just leave out the stop [to the sports bar],’ he replied.
Jerome “Jerry” Cox, 69, was convicted Friday of vehicular homicide for the December 2023 death of Harrison High School student, Olivia Pugh, 16
Pugh, an honors student, became stuck and killed while crossing Ben King Road in Kennesaw, near Atlanta, by Cox, who police said was under the influence. She died two days later at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital on December 10, 2023
“So you left that out too?”
‘I left it out. “I just said I had one beer at home and that was all I had,” he said.
Prosecutors accused Cox of trying to hide the fact that they had gone to a bar prior to the fatal accident, according to WSBTV.
The night of his arrest, Cox refused a field sobriety and BAC test, telling the officer, “I don’t think it’s fair.” I didn’t cause this… we’re all innocent until proven guilty, right?’
The officer testified, “It didn’t seem like he was acting the way he should have been acting. Since one person had been hit, he didn’t seem concerned.”
Cox was sentenced to just 12 months in prison, with credit for time served.
He was found guilty of second-degree vehicular homicide and failure to exercise due care.
Cox was found not guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol after the jury heard a prison recording of him and his wife discussing how much they drank
“Her smile was infectious, even though it was for a selfie. She was kind, loving, giggly and determined, hardworking and full of life,” the GoFundMe said.
Since the tragedy, there has been a push to improve local safety initiatives, including changing traffic patterns near the Lights of Joy Christmas, where the victim struck.
Pugh’s family said they are glad the “horrific nightmare” is “finally over.”
“And the reality is that this is my new life, a life that I am now forced to live,” said her mother, Tara Pugh.
Pugh played softball, flag football, basketball and track and field, while also being a member of the National Honors Society, president of the Beta Club, a member of the Science Honor Society, Key Club, Spark and more.
She also worked at Chick-fil-a.
Pugh also showed her love by giving her loved ones a nickname, including her car, which she named Sasha, according to the GoFundMe.
“Her smile was infectious, even though it was for a selfie. She was kind, loving, giggly and determined, hardworking and full of life,” the fundraiser said.
The fundraiser, which is for a college scholarship in her name, raised more than $73,000.