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.