News

Freak accident claims teen’s life

Mon, 04/02/2007 - 2:16pm
By: John Munford

Victim exited moving vehicle, struck mailbox

A Douglasville teen died early Sunday morning when he struck a mailbox while he was exiting a moving vehicle on County Line Road, police said.

Seconds before Brandon Buster, 18, opened the door to exit the vehicle, the driver had begun to slow down because a passenger became ill in the vehicle, police said. As Buster left the car, he struck the mailbox, causing serious injuries, police said.

The vehicle, a 2006 Nissan Altima driven by Guy Brathwaite, 26, of Fayetteville, was going south on County Line Road near Vickery Lane at the time of the collision, police said. The crash was reported just after 2:30 a.m.

Including Buster there were four passengers in Brathwaite’s car, and the intent of Buster slowing down was to allow the ill passenger, who was regurgitating, to exit the car, police said.

Buster suffered serious injuries and was taken to Piedmont Fayette Hospital where he died from the injuries, police said. All persons in the vehicle had been wearing their seatbelts before the incident, police confirmed.

The crash, which is the first fatal auto accident in Fayette County this year, is being investigated by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

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brandons friend
Submitted by Blaine on Tue, 04/03/2007 - 3:44pm.

This is brandons friend from Atlanta technical college brandon had nothing but good things for him in the future he was a kid with his head straight didnt do drugs smoke or anything y did this have to happen to him i still remeber working on a engine with him..........

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I wish when a child dies, comments couldn't be made
Submitted by oldbeachbear on Mon, 04/02/2007 - 6:28pm.

It is enough to tell the story, another thing for the public to write in and speculate. Some-one's child is dead and they are grieving. The other kids in the car, saw what happened to their friend. The child that jumped, for whatever reason, paid with his life. Isn't that enough? Why do you criticize and speculate on such a sad thing? I am sure everyone involved will spend the rest of their lives wishing they had done things differently. I hope you who have made such off handed comments would too, but I doubt it.

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Point taken..
Submitted by McDonoughDawg on Mon, 04/02/2007 - 7:54pm.

Just trying to get other parents to take this as a lesson that can help them.

Prayers go out to the grieving Family.

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Sad story..
Submitted by McDonoughDawg on Mon, 04/02/2007 - 4:32pm.

I'm thinking some details have been left out of this story.

Also curious as to what business the 18 year old had doing out at 2:30 AM. Parents, take heed, know where your Children are. Sounds like a little partying going on.

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Dawg is Right
Submitted by skyspy on Mon, 04/02/2007 - 8:18pm.

This is a sad story.

You don't have to "ask" what they were doing....you know ....what if they had been at home instead?

Like Det. Steve Rose always tells parents, nothing good ever happens after midnight. He tells people this almost every week in his column in the ajc. He also gives numerous examples from the weekly crime reports.........people we have seen too much of this.

How many more young people have to die?

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What details?
Submitted by IMNSHO on Mon, 04/02/2007 - 5:02pm.

What more are you expecting to hear? The driver was not drunk. There actually was not an auto accident. The kid freaked out that he was about to get puked on. The car was slowing down to pull over and let the sick kid out, and the victim jumped out too soon to get out of the way. Are you wanting them to say he was pushed out, or what?

the first fatal auto accident in Fayette County this year

Except it technically isn't an auto accident. It is an accidental death, but not an auto accident, because the auto was not the cause of the accident. Even the GBI and investigating deputy say the same thing... but the Captain says it is, so it is.

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Dawg: Partying?
Submitted by dollaradayandfound on Mon, 04/02/2007 - 4:48pm.

Why did you have to assume that just yet?
At 17 and 18, there are soldiers away from home. Just how would you keep one at home at that age?
Granted, personal education by the parent can help reduce such occurences, but the law of odds catches some.
Where does such information come from anyway before the trial? Are the cops spreading their opinions?
Besides this is the USA, one doesn't need "business" to be out at anytime of the day or night at 18, I hope. Iused to work a swing shift---out at all hours of the day.

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You are right
Submitted by JoAnn on Wed, 04/11/2007 - 6:51pm.

I think that IF partying was a part of this the News would let us know. Sounds like a sick kid. Sounds like everyone wants to blame it on Partying. There is a family morning the death of a child. To them I say GOD BLESS. My prayers are with you. Either way.

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OK
Submitted by McDonoughDawg on Mon, 04/02/2007 - 7:49pm.

Sounds like I was possibly out of line. To anyone offended, I apologize. I said it was a sad story. Nothing I say will help the poor Soul who has moved one or his Family and their Child who has gone on to better things. It may nelp the next family who needs to keep tabs on where their Children are.

Point taken about the 18 year old. They are technically adults, but riding with other young adults this late at night usually doesn't lead to good things happening.

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