Family of Ph.D. student taking mom to airport killed by alleged wrong-way driver in Chevy Camaro awarded over $50 million in lawsuit

A justice successful Georgia awarded much than $50 cardinal to the household of a Ph.D. pupil who was killed by an alleged drunk operator successful a wrong-way clang portion she was driving her parent to the airport.

Beth Buchanan, 23, was driving her parent to the Atlanta airdrome soon aft 3 a.m. connected Feb. 13, 2023, erstwhile the suspect, Cesar Raudales Macias, allegedly made an amerciable U-turn connected University Parkway adjacent Patrick Mill Road SW successful Winder, which is astir 40 miles from downtown Atlanta.

Macias, past 25, began driving the incorrect mode down University and slammed head-on into Buchanan's Kia Soul, according to the suit.

"The interaction was truthful terrible that 1 witnesser initially thought the car 'blew up,'" Buchanan's lawyers wrote successful the wrongful decease suit filed against Macias successful 2024.

Buchanan died portion her mother, Julie Olson-Buchanan, suffered superior injuries that required weeks successful a hospital.

"Although severe, Ms. Olson-Buchanan's carnal injuries were the smallest constituent of her symptom and suffering — she besides witnessed the decease of her 23-year-old daughter," the suit said. "In a heartbreaking 911 recording, she tin beryllium heard trying to inquire if Beth was OK and realizing she wasn't breathing. Ms. Olson-Buchanan's beingness volition ne'er beryllium the same."

Per plaintiff lawyers, Macias' humor intoxicant contented was "significantly implicit the ineligible limit." He is facing vehicular manslaughter and DUI charges. Macias was taken to the infirmary aft the clang but allegedly fled earlier cops could apprehension him. He remains a fugitive.

Buchanan was a 2nd twelvemonth grad pupil astatine the University of Georgia studying psychology. Several of her teachers, household and friends spoke astir the interaction she had connected them and others.

"One theme, successful particular, appeared again and again successful the stories shared astir Beth: she was a light," wrote Athens-Clark County Judge Charles Auslander. "Nearly each idiosyncratic who spoke astir her described the mode she brightened the lives astir her. One idiosyncratic adjacent described her arsenic 'golden.' It is uncommon to beryllium described that mode — to posses a warmth, brilliance, and kindness that others instantly recognize."

Auslander calculated that Buchanan would person lived different 56 years and the "value" of each twelvemonth she lived would person exceeded $1 million. In the end, Auslander awarded the household $56.5 million.

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But Buchanan's household does not expect to person a dime from Macias.

"This judgement formally recognizes the immense worth of Beth's beingness and however genuinely bonzer she was," plaintiff lawyer Rob Snyder told section NBC affiliate WXIA. "This is an important archetypal measurement towards accountability."

In a connection to the outlet, Buchanan's parents said the suit was ne'er astir the money.

"This grant is mostly symbolic and we bash not privation it to beryllium mistaken for compensation. No magnitude of wealth could ever relationship for the nonaccomplishment of our girl oregon capable the void she near behind," the connection said. "For us, this judgement is astir a formal, ineligible acknowledgment of the beauteous beingness that was stolen from her and each those who loved her."

Anyone with accusation connected Macias' whereabouts tin interaction the U.S. Marshals Service astatine 1-877-926-8332.