HCSO NEWS RELEASE:
“Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) investigators obtained warrants charging a Baldwin man with
first-degree vehicular homicide and other offenses following a Friday afternoon, July 11, traffic
accident in north Hall County.
HCSO Accident Investigation Unit (AIU) investigators arrested James David Molton, 31, following his
release from the hospital. In addition to vehicular homicide, Molton, the driver, is charged with the
following crimes stemming from the single-vehicle crash on Oliver Mill Road near Forrester Road.
- Serious injury by vehicle (felony)
- Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act (felony)
- DUI of drugs (misdemeanor)
- Reckless driving (misdemeanor)
- Driving on the wrong side of the road (misdemeanor)
- Failure to maintain lane (misdemeanor)
- Tire requirements (misdemeanor)
Molton lost control of his 1996 Chrysler Concorde at approximately 3:20 p.m. The westbound car hit
a tree. According to the initial investigation, Molton was under the influence of methamphetamine
and was in possession of a small amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) wax.
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 and his frontseat
passenger, Joseph Wolfgang Shumate, 29, of Gainesville, sustained minor injuries.
Investigators transported Molton to the Hall County Jail following his arrest. He’s being held without
bond.”
EARLIER STORY. POSTED SATURDAY JULY 12:
“The Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) continues to investigate a one-car traffic accident that claimed the life of a woman and injured three other people on Friday afternoon, July 11, in north Hall County.
The HCSO Accident Investigation Unit (AIU) responded to the wreck on Oliver Mill Road near Forrester Road at approximately 3:20 p.m.
According to initial details, the car was westbound on Oliver Mill Road when the
31-year-old male driver lost control of it while attempting to negotiate a curve. The car left the road and hit a tree.
A female passenger, 27, of Gainesville, died at the scene. Hall County Fire Rescue (HCFR) transported another female passenger, 23, of Cleveland, to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with serious injuries. HCFR also transported the driver, who has a Baldwin address, and a male passenger, 29, of Gainesville, to the hospital, both with minor injuries.
Investigators are currently withholding names until notification of next of kin is confirmed. Charges in the
crash are pending.”