Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney

Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit

Sherry Boston, District Attorney

STONE MOUNTAIN WOMAN CONVICTED IN VEHICULAR HOMICIDE OF 11-YEAR-OLD BOY

September 13, 2019

Victim Killed While Visiting Georgia
 During 
Hurricane Evacuation 

Decatur, Ga.- A Stone Mountain woman charged with vehicular homicide in connection with the death of a Florida child has been convicted and sentenced to prison. Jurors returned guilty verdicts last Thursday against 28-year-old Brianna Robertson on two counts of Homicide by Vehicle in the First Degree (DUI/Less Safe and Reckless Driving) for her role in the death of 11-year-old Timothy Jones. 

The fatal incident happened on September 11, 2017 in the driveway of the Barbashela Circle home the Defendant shared with her boyfriend and his parents. The family was hosting a party for relatives and friends, including the victim and his mother, who were visiting after being evacuated from Florida during Hurricane Irma.

As the victim and his mother, Shyra Slack, were headed to their car to leave, Defendant Robertson, upset by an earlier interaction, began yelling at Ms. Slack, prompting an argument. As Robertson got into her car, which was parked in the driveway, Slack approached the passenger side of the car and opened the door.  Defendant Robertson, who witnesses say was intoxicated, was behind the wheel.  Robertson put the car in reverse, with the open door striking Ms. Slack. The victim ran to his mother’s aid and tossed a can of soda into the Defendant’s car.  Robertson continued backing out of the driveway and struck the boy, knocking him to the ground and into the road.  She then put the car in drive and drove forward over the child, crushing his ribs and dragging him briefly under the car. She continued down the street striking a fence and a tree, then flattening a tire before finally coming to a rest.  Meantime, young Timothy, who sustained severe head and body trauma, was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

During trial, Robertson claimed that she was defending herself from an attack from Slack who she says was trying to enter her car during the altercation.  The jury rejected that claim, instead finding the Defendant guilty as charged. Following her conviction, Robertson was sentenced by DeKalb County Superior Court Chief Judge Asha Jackson to a term of 15 years to serve eight in custody with the balance on probation.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Pete Johnson and Senior Assistant District Attorney Alana Driscoll. Deputy Chief Investigator Steve Barresi led the investigation on behalf of the Office of the District Attorney.