According to Calhoun City Police, Payne is also charged with reckless driving, speeding, driving too fast for conditions and failure to maintain single lane.
“Following an extensive investigation it was determined Payne was negligent in his actions as he drove his vehicle in a reckless manner,” said Calhoun City Police Chief Garry Moss in a press release.
According to the law, “any person who, without malice aforethought, causes the death of another person through the violation of reckless driving commits the offence of homicide by vehicle in the first degree,” said Calhoun City Police Lt. Tony Pyle.
Payne was driving a 2013 Dodge charger traveling east bound on Laurel Creek Rd. with Owen and two other juvenile passengers. Payne reportedly lost control of the vehicle before crossing into the westbound lane striking a 2011 Jeep Wrangler.
Payne told police he “took his eyes from the road as he was using his radio,” in an accident report from the CPD.
Kenny Owen Jr., 19, of Calhoun was pronounced dead at Gordon Hospital at 9:07 p.m. from injuries sustained in the collision. Payne was sent to Gordon Hospital for treatment where he was released shortly after. Owen was the only fatality in the collision.