Two men are in custody after collisions that hospitalized six people on May 7.
Franklin Leonard James, 32, was stopped at the red light on Apache Avenue at Abercorn Street. He proceeded to accelerate through the light, striking a motorcycle head-on and continuing north on Apache where he struck a car on Mohawk Street.
The car slammed into a Georgia Power Company utility pole on the lawn of Savannah’s newly built Savannah Mall fire station. Both the car and the pole caught fire.
The motorcyclist and five car occupants were rushed to nearby hospitals. The motorcyclist was treated for non life-threatening injuries, while the status of the five occupants remains undisclosed.
James and passenger Rashamel Marquise Lewis, 19, ran from the collision and were chased down on foot by Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police. James was arrested in an adjoining neighborhood. Lewis tried to hide by breaking into a house on the 100 block of Queen’s Retreat. He was scared off when residents screamed at him and was apprehended nearby.
SCMPD Major Accidents Investigation Team continues its investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (912) 234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637). In the body type, include “CStop2020” plus the tip. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
