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.
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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Several artists came together for a Mother’s Day concert Bethel Community Church Family Life Center.
Lucresha Thomas with Psalm 100 Entertainment said the event honors mothers.
“I think that is very important to honor the mothers because there’s some people that don’t have mothers due, the mothers passing away and mothers not being local,” Thomas said. “So this helps bring them together and they’re able to fellowship with other mothers and just be positive, bringing some gospel to the community where they can fellowship together, be blessed and maybe receive a blessing.”
Host Tommy Ingram said groups from across the area participated in the concert.
“We got a live, a lot of groups coming from all over the area to make sure that all the mothers in the area have a good time today,” Ingram said.
Host Adrian Monet said the free concert gives back to the community.
“Well, okay, yeah, a lot of mothers enjoy some good gospel singing. They love gospel concerts,” Monet said. “And this one is a give back, you know, to the community because it’s completely free. And so it’s a chance for people to bring their mothers to enjoy the music that they love so much.”
Erica and Jessica Harris, co-owners of Sophisticated Soul Food, said they wanted to celebrate mothers.
“Okay, we’re out here today for this pre-Mother’s Day event, and we’re just, we just want to give back to the community and celebrate all mothers,” the co-owners said. “And so we’re so excited to be out here. And we have great soul food for everybody that wants to come out.”
Kenneth Medlock, Tyrell Gibson and Gary Durham of The Country Boys, a gospel group from Thomson, said they were honored to participate.
“So we’re just so grateful to be here and honored to be able to stand up and let the world know how good God is through our songs and our praise,” the group said.
Anthony Gallant and Lamont McDowell, members of a gospel group from the Carolinas, said celebrating mothers is important.
“Oh yeah, I think it’s extremely important because mothers work hard throughout the year. They’re very diligent,” Gallant and McDowell said. “And I think at least if you could celebrate them one time, just make them feel special and that the queens that they are, I think it’s important and they’ll feel that love.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Olu Brown visited Augusta on Friday evening, stopping near the Sand Hills Community Center as early voting continues.
Brown is one of six candidates in the Democratic primary.
Campaign priorities
Brown said his vision as governor would focus on three main areas.
“One, it’s affordability around health care and making sure we expand Medicaid and expand Peach Care and make sure we continue to make our rural health care systems healthy and vital,” Brown said. “Number two, we’ve got to address education in all of Georgia, making sure every kid in Georgia gets an excellent education, and we’re paying our teachers more. And number 3, we’re protecting the rights of all women. Folks in the Gold Dome shouldn’t be making decisions about their bodies or the choices that they make.”
Brown is running against Amanda Duffy, Derrick Jackson, Geoff Duncan, Jason Esteves, Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mike Thurmond.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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