‘Distracted’ driver enters guilty plea for 2019 homicide by vehicle

Monday, in state court proceedings in Stephens County, Amanda Lynn Phillips, 44, entered a guilty plea to the charge of homicide by vehicle in the second degree for the 2019 death of Anna Whitlock. 

In April 2019, 18-year old Anna Whitlock was killed when a Chevy Silverado driven by Phillips crossed the centerline of Highway 106 and struck the Ford Fiesta driven by Whitlock head-on at the intersection of Georgia Highways 106 and 320 near the Franklin/Stephens County line.

Whitlock, the daughter of Joey and Leigh Whitlock, was a freshman at Piedmont College and was on her way to class when the accident happened.

At the time, WNEG reported that Phillips was transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital and a two-month old baby in the vehicle with Phillips was airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.  The conditions of Phillips and the baby were not listed. Both Phillips and Whitlock were listed as residents of Carnesville.

On March 18, 2022, Phillips was indicted by a Stephens County Grand Jury on one count of homicide by vehicle in the second degree, one county failure to maintain lane, and one count distracted driving. A warrant for Phillips’ arrest was issued.

This past Monday, Phillips entered a guilty plea to the three indicted charges and was sentenced to 12 months confinement for each of the three counts, to be served consecutively, for a total of 36 months. The entire sentence is to be served on probation, however, as a stipulation in the sentencing, Phillips will be required to spend 20 weekends – a total of 40 days – in the Stephens County Jail. 

In addition, Phillips is ordered to complete 120 hours of community service. According to court documents, no fine is assessed against Phillips, but “restitution is to be determined.”