A vehicular homicide charge against an Augusta man accused of hitting a bicyclist on Walton Way in front of the judicial center will be considered by the grand jury for possible indictment.
At the conclusion of a preliminary hearing in Richmond County Civil Court, Chief Judge Carletta Sims Brown determined probable cause existed to send the charge against Tyquavious Walker, 26, to the grand jury for its determination.
Walker was arrested the night of May 7 about a mile up from the place where Randolf Brinson, 62, died just before 11 p.m.
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Tuesday, Deputy James Champion testified that the security cameras at the Augusta Richmond County Judicial Center and John H. Ruffin Jr. Courthouse captured what happened that night. Brinson was traveling east on a bicycle when he was struck from behind by a pickup truck, Champion said. Witnesses reported seeing Walker get out of the truck and look at the damage then he got back inside the truck and drove off.
Walker told Champion he thought someone had thrown a rock at his truck and didn’t know he had hit anyone. A preliminary alcohol sensor test reading was .19, Champion said. Walker also consented to blood and urine tests, too.
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Walker has no felony history, but he has traffic violations and a pending 2019 charge for driving under the influence.
The judge granted Walker bond under pretrial supervision, alcohol and drug assessment and treatment if warranted with random drug and alcohol testing. He is not to drive while charges are pending. Sims Brown set the bond at $20,000.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at [email protected].
