ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — The driver and sole survivor of a crash that claimed the lives of three people in a high-speed chase in 2024 in Dougherty County, was sentenced in court Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Dontavious Reese was sentenced to 25 years, with the first 15 years to be served in prison. The other 10 years will be served on probation. In a plea deal accepted by Reese, he pled guilty to:

• Homicide by Vehicle in the First Degree (three counts)
• Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer
• Speeding
• Reckless Driving
• Driving on wrong side of roadway
• Disregarding Traffic Control Device

Plea deal details

Dougherty County Superior Court Judge Victoria Johnson presided over the case. Court began Monday, Aug. 17, with jury selection. Tuesday, a plea deal was offered and accepted by Reese.

Reese pleaded guilty to all charges except felony murder.

Family members of Jakwon Hill and Zion McClendon shared how deeply they are hurting but expressed understanding for Reese’s youth and backed a lighter sentence.

Jessica Cross, Jakwon Hill’s aunt, said the following:

“They were all good friends,” Jessica Cross, Jakwon Hill’s aunt, said. “They knew each other. The families knew everybody involved. And the best thing that can be done is to, you know, make the best of a tragic situation.”

First Offender Act applies

Under Georgia’s First Offender Act, if Reese successfully completes probation, he will not have a felony conviction on his record. If he violates probation, he could be resentenced to the original 59-year sentence.

“If you make one mistake, it won’t cost you the rest of your life. If you get good representation and fight your case and get a good judge to analyze your case and give you an appropriate sentence,” Benjamin Davis, Reese’s defense attorney, said.

“Everyone, most especially our young folk, should look at what they’re doing, make thoughtful decisions,” Dougherty County District Attorney Greg Edwards said. “Try not to get yourself in a situation where you have to make a tragic decision or reckless decision. And he would have gotten a speeding ticket. That’s the worst he would have got had he just pulled over rather than trying to run from the state trooper.”

Reese is allowed to have contact with the victims’ family.

Under his sentence, Reese is allowed to have contact with the victims’ families. If he violates his probation, he could be sentenced to the original 59 years.

Backstory on the Case

This is in connection to the Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, deaths of:

• Jakwon Hill, 18
• Zion McClendon, 20
• Quantavious Vicks, 17

PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF WRECK:

According to a Georgia State Patrol (GSP) report, the driver, Dontavious Reese, failed to yield to troopers who were trying to conduct a traffic stop. After seeing a white Mercedes Benz driving 75 mph in a 40 mph zone.

MORE PREVIOUS COVERAGE: South Georgia mother wants answers after son’s death in high-speed chase

The coroner told WALB around 1:45 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, the car went airborne, hit a tree and was torn into pieces after going across a railroad track near Magnolia Street and Broad Avenue in Albany. The three passengers of the car were ejected and died.

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