Augusta, GA
I-TEAM: Richmond County deputy arrested in deadly 2023 crash
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story included some personal information that has since been redacted and incorrectly stated how injury funds were awarded to Ty Dailey.
WAYNESBORO, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County Deputy Ty Dailey arrived at the detention center in Burke County on Friday morning to face charges in connection with a 2023 fatal crash.
We were on the scene at 8:25 a.m. when Dailey arrived at the detention center.
He was booked on the charge of homicide by vehicle second degree and driving in excess of the posted speed limit, according to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.
He had a bond hearing in the afternoon, where he was given a $5,000 bond. He met bond.
ARREST WARRANTS, BOOKING PHOTO AND MORE:
“The accused was driving in a reckless manner, traveling 90 mph in a posted 55 mph zone, when he hit another vehicle, killing the driver,” an arrest warrant stated.
According to District Attorney Jared Williams, the case was forwarded to Burke County State Court Solicitor Mathew Franklin on Jan. 31.
Franklin’s office handles misdemeanor cases.
The crash happened in March 26, 2023, when Dailey was driving a Richmond County Sheriff’s Office vehicle.
More than a year has passed since the crash happened. Time has stood still for the Fager family, who are still stuck in the moment since receiving a call.
“You get a call like that and kind of flipped your world upside down. It’s a drastic change in the blink of an eye,” said Matt Fager.
EARLIER COVERAGE:
Driving home from Florida, Jay and Donna Fagers’ world collided with Dailey.
Their paths intersected at the intersection of Highway 25 and Cohen Road. The Georgia State Patrol report says Jay Fager stopped at the stop sign. But after stopping, he pulled out in front of Dailey’s patrol car.
Body cam footage: “He’s unconscious and he’s in bad shape.”
Dailey was not in pursuit. He wasn’t answering an emergency call. He was on his way to a training class.
New warrants from Georgia State Patrol say Dailey was going 90 mph in a 55 mph zone, 35 mph over the speed limit, when he hit and killed Jay Fager. Dailey was driving in a reckless manner, according to documents.
The I-TEAM first reported in March the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office never did an internal affairs investigation into Dailey’s deadly crash. He was also back at work – on the taxpayers’ dime – before any investigation was complete.
The I-TEAM uncovered a pattern with Dailey’s history at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
In 2013, he was disciplined after a second accident within six weeks of each other. Both were caused by Dailey’s speeding. In both accidents, he was found at fault.
The crash report went before the city of Augusta’s Safety Review Committee.
Though Dailey was driving 35 mph over the posted speed limit in the crash that killed Jay Fager, Augusta’s safety committee found him not at fault. And they made that decision even before Georgia State Patrol’s investigation was complete, and before the district attorney’s office was done reviewing the case.
The district attorney decided not to pursue any criminal charges and passed the case down to Franklin on Jan. 31. Weeks later, the Fagers’ attorney told the I-TEAM the case was being closed and there would be no charges against Dailey.
On Feb. 18, the I-TEAM filed an open records request for the case file and was told we would have it after it was reviewed and redacted. After more than a week passed, we were then told the case was re-opened.
Donna Fager paid Augusta $20,000 for damage to the deputy’s car.
But what the Fagers cannot put a price tag on is the life of a father, husband, and grandfather. They’ve been left waiting for answers and accountability in the deadly crash that took Jay Fager.
On Friday, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office confirms Dailey is still on paid administrative leave.
He’s not the only Richmond County deputy who’s currently facing charges yet is still collecting a paycheck to stay at home.
Taxpayers have been paying Brandon Keathley not to come to work since his arrest on Dec. 2, 2020, for an incident that happened on Feb. 7, 2020.
MORE COVERAGE ON BRANDON KEATHLEY:
A grand jury indicted him on charges of aggravated assault and aggravated assault on a peace officer. Both are felonies.
The case still hasn’t been to trial.
It’s on the June calendar call for a trial week in July.
It was actually on the court calendar last month, and prosecutors announced they were ready, but the case got bumped.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We are less than 10 days away from another school year in Richmond and Columbia counties, and parents getting prepared.
But it can be hard on your wallet.
On Friday, “Living in Purpose” helped with more than just school supplies.
Hundreds of families had a good time while stocking up on school supplies over at the purpose center. Organizers say they went through all 100 of their backpacks within an hour.
But many families and incoming students say Friday today was more than just a handout.
Families took advantage of free backpacks, haircuts and shoe raffles ahead of the new school year.
Event leaders say Friday really shows the growing need for families when it comes to school supplies.
“I mean, the way that it’s looking right now, I probably needed 200 book bags. The goal is for us to target the kids’ right hand to direct the community. But we have kids coming from all over the community because there is such a great need,” said Kamilah Freeman, executive administrator for “Living in Purpose”.
Organizers say it’s really about the resources they’re trying to bring to the at-risk youth in the community.
“We are targeting youth to prevent them from going through things in life teaching them about integrity, purpose character, helping them to know that they have a purpose in life and to be all that they can be,” said Freeman.
Along with free supplies, they’re offering mentorship and after-school programs to families for their kids to get involved in.
Joshua Hawthorne says he’s a product of that, and it’s motivating him to reach for places he never dreamed of before.
“I got between sort of three choices right now that I want to go to. Kelsey, JSU or Talladega,” he said.
It’s a community effort to remind the next generation what they’re capable of.
Freeman said: “It is so rewarding to me because I see them when they come in and I see them as they’re progressing. I see their heads going from down to being lifted up I see their chest coming up. I see smiles on their face and they are gaining hope and I love it”
With the start of the new school year for Richmond County, “Living in Purpose” will resume its after-school programs for kids to get assistance with homework and other essential needs.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect in connection with a 2019 murder.
On Dec. 30, 2019, at 4:47 am., the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to 2106 Bayvale Road to investigate the murder of Dwayne Lane, 52.
The case had remained in a cold case status until Friday.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division was able to find and interview original witnesses as well as new witnesses.
As a result, investigators were able to arrest Willie Ferrell, 42, in connection with the killing.
Ferrell was booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The University of Georgia is seeking the public’s help in creating more climate resilience in Augusta.
The project aims to address the impacts of climate change in vulnerable and underserved communities in Georgia.
The team consists of a group of climate scientists from UGA, who are partnering with the Georgia Climate Project (GCP), Greater Augusta’s Interfaith Coalition (GAIC) and Black Voters Matter (BVM).
“We noticed there is a lot of resilience work going on around Atlanta and the coast, but there is this big swath in the middle of Georgia that is not getting a lot of attention,” said Dr. Patricia Yager. “A lot of folks are being impacted but not getting resources. So, UGA and the Georgia Climate Project asked around to see who was interested and we got a lot of enthusiasm from the Augusta community. This is hoping to be a model effort for other communities across the state.”
The team will help provide climate risk information to underserved communities in Augusta.
The project will also offer guidance and resources for making good decisions to respond to extreme weather.
Resilient solutions include:
- Designing infrastructure to direct water to planted areas can reduce flooding.
- Electric public transportation can reduce emissions that worsen air quality.
- Increasing green spaces in the city, like installing green roofs, can reduce urban heat.
The project team says their goal is to “listen to Augusta residents, interpret Augusta-specific climate science data and identify solutions to help Augusta residents cope with extreme weather.”
To complete the survey, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7PTfE8WIx1O-NRBrCjn2ujh_KhmW66_Rhn7dEg9FuOEggNQ/viewform.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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