March 12, 2021–12:22 p.m.
STAFF REPORTS
The man accused of causing a fiery crash on Highway 53 last Saturday that injured four teenagers has been booked into the Floyd County Jail on multiple charges.
According to jail records, 34-year old Raul Richard Villalobos of Rome is charged with four counts serious injury by vehicle, and single counts of DUI, reckless driving, no insurance, driving without a license and theft by taking a motor vehicle.
According to Floyd County Police, the crash occurred around 11 p.m. Saturday after 911 received a call about a wrong way driver on Ga 53 in Shannon. The suspect vehicle, driven by Villalobos, was driving at a very high rate of speed and nearly struck other vehicles.
Unfortunately, the Acura driven by Villalobos struck the truck carrying the four teens.
Witnesses report that the fire erupted instantly.
Pfc. Blake Puckett used his knife to cut her free and, with the help of passerby Harrison Booker, pulled the teen passenger free of the vehicle.
The driver and the other two occupants were able to scramble free of the wreck thanks to passers-by.