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No charges likely in fatal accident on I-16
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A Macon man will not face charges in a wreck on Interstate 16 Thursday that claimed the life of his sister.


Kaylah Hawkins, 13, of Macon died in the one-car crash late Thursday afternoon on I-16 east near mile marker 148.


Hawkins’ brother, Jacob McCullough, 22, was driving the car. He and two other passengers were injured.


McCullough provided a blood sample to investigators and alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash, according to the Georgia State Patrol’s accident report.


“It is my understanding that the Effingham County District Attorney’s Office does not plan on pursuing charges because it was an accident and it was a family member,” said GSP Senior Trooper Joel Mock.


According to investigators, McCullough was driving a white sedan eastbound and swerved to avoid rear-ending a vehicle that slowed down near the Old River Road exit. The car went off the road and crashed into a tree.


Hawkins, a passenger in the back seat, was pronounced dead on the scene. She was wearing a seat belt and was not ejected from the car, Mock said.


McCullough and the two other passengers — Tabatha Williams, 22, and a 14-year-old girl, both of Forsyth – were taken to a Savannah hospital with minor injuries. They were treated and released.


“To my knowledge, they were heading to the beach” when the accident happened, Mock said.