Staff report
A Baldwin man was charged with first-degree vehicular homicide and other felony and misdemeanor offenses following a fatal single-vehicle traffic accident in north Hall County on July 11.
James David Molton, 31, was arrested by Hall County accident unit investigators following his release from the hospital. Molton and his front seat passenger, Joseph Wolfgang Shumate, 29, of Gainesville, had minor injuries.
Caitlyn Marie Butler, 27, of Gainesville, died at the scene of the crash. Melisa Sue Mann, 23, of Cleveland, suffered serious injuries. The women were backseat passengers.
Molton lost control of his 1996 Chrysler Concorde when he attempted to negotiate a curve and hit a tree, according to investigators. Molton was driving westbound on Oliver Mill Road near Forrester Road at approximately 3:20 p.m. According to the initial investigation, Molton was under the influence of methamphetamine and was in possession of a small amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) wax.
Molton was taken to the Hall County Jail following his arrest. He is being held without bond.