Man Sentenced in Fatal 2013 Accident on I-85

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

A McDonough man will likely spend the rest of his life in prison – convicted in the traffic death of a woman who was in his car during a high-speed chase in Franklin County.

Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Parks White said late Thursday, a Franklin County Superior Court jury quickly returned the guilty verdict against 23-year old Thanquarious Rashawn Calhoun.

“The jury took about an hour to find him guilty of felony murder on the basis he caused the death of his passenger during the commission of a felony offense,” White said. “Even though the officer was the person who performed the pit maneuver that resulted in the accident, he (Calhoun) was  the one who created the situation and in committing the felony, caused the death of Marian Shore.”

The chase happened on May 14, 2013 when Banks County Sheriff’s deputies tried to stop a silver Toyota Corolla for speeding near exit 149.

Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas was alerted by Banks County that Calhoun’s vehicle was headed into Franklin County and Franklin County deputies took up the pursuit near Exit 160.

Deputies threw out stop sticks at Exit 160 in an attempt to stop the speeding vehicle, but Thomas said Calhoun avoided the stop sticks and continued racing up the Interstate.

The chase covered more than 21 miles and lasted for 14 minutes, with Calhoun’s vehicle averaging over 90 miles per hour for the entire chase.

White said Calhoun endangered dozens of motorists on Interstate 85 by driving his vehicle in excess of 100 miles per hour, weaving through traffic, forcing motorists off the road, driving in the emergency lane, and cutting off tractor trailers.

During the trial this week, the jury heard evidence that law enforcement officers of the Georgia State Patrol and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office employed numerous methods in an attempt to stop the fleeing vehicle, including rolling road blocks and stop strips.

Calhoun avoided all such attempts to stop his vehicle, authorities said.

Additionally, counterfeit currency was thrown from the vehicle during the pursuit, and more counterfeit bills were found on Calhoun’s person after the chase ended.

The jury also heard evidence that Calhoun had, less than two weeks prior to the May 14 incident, committed the offense of fleeing and attempting to elude a police vehicle when he took Butts County Sheriff’s Deputies on a chase through Jackson, Georgia, before abandoning his vehicle and fleeing on foot.

The chase up I-85 came to an end when GSP troopers used a pit maneuver, which caused Calhoun to lose control near Exit 170.  His vehicle ran up an embankment and struck a tree, throwing him from the vehicle. Even though she was wearing a seatbelt, a passenger, Marian Shore, was partially ejected and died at the scene. Calhoun was treated for his injuries at a local hospital. 

During his trial this week, Calhoun’s attorney argued the prosecution could not prove that Calhoun was the driver.

“One, identity. They said the prosecution couldn’t prove that Calhoun was the driver that caused the accident,” White said. “But two of the officers said they recognized the person who was thrown from the vehicle as the driver of the vehicle who at the time had long dreadlocks. The other defense was causation. They claimed that the death of Marian Shore was caused by the trooper who used the pit maneuver. But the jury recognized that it was Mr. Calhoun who created the incredibly dangerous situation on I-85 north that resulted in officer Sadler having no choice but to use the pit maneuver to stop the vehicle.”

According to the District Attorney, this was Calhoun’s 14th arrest, and 4th arrest for fleeing and eluding.  White said Calhoun was sentenced immediately after the verdict was read.

“He received life for count one,” White said. “Counts two, three and four, which were homicide by vehicle in the first degree and felony fleeing and eluding and reckless driving merged into count one. The remaining offenses were misdemeanors for which he was sentenced to 12 months each concurrent. Count eight was failing to wear a seatbelt, a $25 fine was ordered, which is a maximum penalty for that offense.”

Calhoun was offered a plea deal last week but refused it, opting instead for a trial.

At sentencing White said Calhoun did not apologize for his actions, but instead uttered, “I didn’t want to go to jail,” as the Court pronounced sentence.  He will be eligible for parole in 2043.