Federal agents join search for man wanted in UGA student's death
The search for a man wanted in connection with a fatal wreck in Winder nine months ago that claimed the life of a University of Georgia doctoral student has been turned over to the U.S. Marshal’s Office in Macon.
The suspect, Cesar L. Raudales Macias, was last seen at the home of his parents in Athens, according to a news release from the student’s parents, Tim and Julie Buchanan of Fresno, Calif.
Macias, 26, is wanted on warrants charging him with vehicular homicide, drunk driving and driving on the wrong side of the road.
The Feb. 13 crash killed Beth Elaine Buchanan, 23, who was a doctoral student at UGA in psychology.
The family reported that their daughter was driving her mother to the Atlanta airport after they had visited in Athens for the weekend.
The wreck occurred at about 3 a.m. in Winder after authorities said Macias, driving at a high rate of speed with a headlight out, crashed head on into Buchanan’s car.
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Buchanan died at the scene and her mother, Julie, received life-threatening injuries. She spent a week in the intensive care unit and an additional two weeks in a Lawrenceville hospital, according to the report.
Authorities said Macias was admitted to an Athens hospital and after he was released he has not been seen.
Barrow County sheriff’s investigator Lt. David Witte is investigating. The investigation by the U.S. Marshal’s office is led by Marshal Stephen Lynn, who before his appointment to the office had retired from the Warner Robins Police Department.
In a memorial statement at UGA, Buchanan was described as a student “interested in issues affecting lower-income workers, particularly those tied into the management of work and family roles. She was in the process of co-authoring a book chapter on the topic when the tragic accident (occurred).”
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: U.S. Marshal joins search for man wanted in UGA student's death
