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PhD student killed in head-on crash driving mom to Atlanta airport; suspect wanted

23-year-old Beth Buchanan was driving her mom back to the airport on Feb. 13 when they were hit head-on along University Parkway in Winder.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include the full list of charges for the suspect.

It's been nine months since a 23-year-old was killed in a horrific head-on crash while driving her mom to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Beth Buchanan was pursuing a PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at the University of Georgia and had just returned from a mother, daughter weekend in Athens

"She loved both teaching and research," her mom, Julie Olson-Buchanan, said. 

Beth was in the second year of her PhD program. Julie said the two had planned the trip back in February. And when the time came, Julie flew into Atlanta from their hometown in Fresno, California. 

The two spent the weekend together in Athens exploring, catching up and just enjoying one another's company.

As the weekend wrapped up, it was time for Julie to catch her flight back to California. The two got up early on February 13 and hit the road for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, about 80 miles away.

Beth was driving, and as they were heading down University Parkway through Winder, Julie recalled a strange object ahead of them. 

Credit: FAMILY

"He didn't have two headlights," she said. "He had half of one. We weren't sure. We both, at the same moment, saw something unusual, and then it hit."

Julie is referring to 26-year-old Cesar Raudales Macias. Julie said Raudales Macias crashed head-on into her and Beth. 

"Beth was killed," Julie said, adding, "I was in ICU for a week. In the hospital for a couple more weeks. So I found out when I regained consciousness."

A parent's worst nightmare. Even nine months later, the pain can be seen and heard in Julie as she recounts those final seconds with her daughter. 

"It's heart-wrenching," she said. 

Julie said what makes it even worse is knowing the man accused of causing the crash that killed her daughter has not been arrested.  Raudales Macias was also severely hurt in the crash. Julie said they were informed he had broken both of his legs. 

Credit: FAMILY
The last picture Julie and her daughter Beth took together before Beth was killed in a crash.

They're furious he somehow was able to get away before the Barrow County Sheriff's Office was able to arrest him. 

"I couldn't imagine that we would be in the situation where we're trying to figure out where he is and how he was able to leave his house, given he was apparently not mobile at the time. It suggests he had some help," Julie said. 

She added, "It breaks my heart that he is not facing what he did." 

In the meantime, Julie said they just try to focus on the good times and reflect on the 23 years they got to spend with Beth. 

"What a force for good she was and that she brought so much to her life," she said, adding, "She held the world in her heart. She cared deeply about what happened to her neighbors and what happened to others in the world. She really, in only 23 years, made a really big difference." 

A mother who said she won't stop fighting until she gets justice for her daughter. 

You can learn more about Beth and all of her accomplishments here

As for Raudales Macias, who the Barrow County Sheriff's Office wants, he has several active warrants out for his arrest, including first-degree vehicular homicide, serious injury by vehicle, DUI-alcohol, driving on the wrong side of the roadway and a seatbelt violation. 

Credit: Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta
Cesar Raudales Macias

Anyone with information on the case can submit a tip anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477), online www.StopCrimeAtl.org or by texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES (274637). Persons do not have to give their name or any identifying information to be eligible for the reward of up to $5,000. 

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