COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A family and school community are mourning the loss of a Cobb County 16-year-old who was hit and killed by an alleged drunk driver earlier in December.
According to the Cobb County Police Department, it happened on December 8. Around 8:20 p.m., police were dispatched to Ben King Road in Kennesaw, where a teen, now identified by the school district as Olivia Pugh, had been struck by a car.
Police said the Harrison High School student was hit by a red 2017 GMC Acadia while crossing a marked crosswalk with a group of teens. Reports said that Pugh was thrown into the air and into a wooded area on the shoulder.
She was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where authorities said she later died on December 10.
The man behind the wheel, 68-year-old Jerome Cox, was with his wife, heading eastbound on the road when police said he hit the 16-year-old. Officers said the two were uninjured in the crash, and Cox was taken into custody on several charges. According to warrants, he's facing:
- Homicide by vehicle in first-degree
- Driver must care to avoid pedestrian
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Willful obstruction of law enforcement officer
Bond has not been set at this time for Cox. According to warrants from Cobb County courts, Cox had "bloodshot and watery eyes," admitting to police that he'd drank three beers at a Christmas party. Officers said that he also "emitted a strong odor" of alcohol, especially when speaking.
It also added that he refused to give a breath sample or perform any field tests and later refused for his blood to be drawn by forensics after obtaining search warrants.
More about Olivia Pugh
Pugh was a student at Harrison High School, and according to an online fundraiser set up by her family, she was "one of the hardest working people you would ever meet."
The post goes on to say that Pugh was the Beta Club president, a National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Key Club, and Spark member, and also took honors and AP (Advanced Placement) courses, all while working at Chick-fil-A.
"Her smile was contagious, even if the smile was for a selfie. She was kind, loving, giggling, and determined, hard-working, and full of life," the post said.
Through her short years, Pugh traveled to London, Paris, Alaska and Hawaii, "she never met a beach she didn’t like."
An online obituary set up for Pugh asks for donations to create the Olivia Pugh Memorial Scholarship, which will go to "a hard-working and highly motivated student at Harrison High School."
A statement from a district spokesperson said:
"It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Harrison student Olivia Pugh. Our hearts are heavy, and we will keep Olivia's family, friends, and entire Harrison community in our thoughts, knowing the loss will be felt even more this holiday season. Grief counselors will continue to be available to support students and staff. We do ask you to give our school family privacy during this time of grief.”
Memorial Services
Pugh's visitation will be on Thursday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the West Cobb Funeral Home & Crematory in Marietta, according to an online obituary.
Her funeral service will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marietta on Friday at 10 a.m.