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Hunter Ethan Elliott
By Glenn Harbison
News Observer Publisher
Warrants paint a tragic description of the crash that claimed the life of 2-year-old Cohen Bryson Sunday, March 15, and a history of drunk driving adds to the tragedy.
Warrants charging Hunter Ethan Elliott with the crash include charges of DUI/alcohol and homicide by vehicle in the first degree. The history includes a driver’s license suspension in 2015.
Bryson died as a result of injuries he suffered when the car in which he was a passenger was struck in the rear by a truck driven by Elliott, 23, of 730 Tilley Road, Talking Rock.
Fannin County Chief Magistrate Judge Brian Jones denied bond for Elliott during a first appearance hearing Wednesday, March 18.
Jones said his decision allows the suspect to “get due process through the Superior Court by way of a bond hearing.”
At the time of the crash, the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) report said Cohen was in the back seat of a 2008 Ford Escape driven by Joshua Bryson, 24, of Rome.
The vehicle was stopped at the traffic light in the westbound lane of Georgia Highway 2 (Highway 515) at the intersection of Blue Ridge Drive in Blue Ridge.
The Escape was struck in the rear by a 2016 Ford Heavy Duty truck driven by Elliott.
Elliott was taken into custody following the crash.
Tuesday, March 17, GSP Trooper Shane Matheson swore out warrants charging Elliott with 14 separate offenses. Those charges included:
﹣ Misdemeanor, hit and run;
﹣ Felony, homicide by vehicle, first degree;
﹣ Misdemeanor, driving while license suspended/revoked;
﹣ Two felony counts, serious injury by vehicle;
﹣ Misdemeanor, distracted driving; restrictions on operation of wireless communication;
﹣ Misdemeanor, open container violation;
﹣ Misdemeanor, DUI/alcohol;
﹣ Misdemeanor, improper exhaust system;
﹣ Misdemeanor, glazing of windows;
﹣ Misdemeanor, following too closely;
﹣ Misdemeanor, reckless driving;
﹣ Misdemeanor, obstruction of an officer;
﹣ Misdemeanor, glazing of windows (second warrant); and,
﹣ Misdemeanor, operating vehicle with altered suspension.
A review of the warrants shows allegations Elliott was using his cellphone to FaceTime his fiance and was driving under the influence of alcohol when the crash occurred.
Elliott’s truck struck the Escape in the rear and, because his suspension lift was higher than 2 inches, caused the truck to go over the rails of the Escape, causing increased damage.
After the crash, Elliott allegedly failed to stop immediately, placed his truck in reverse, fled on foot and failed to render aid.
During questioning by law enforcement, Elliott gave false statements many times by saying he was not the driver of the truck and attempted to mislead the investigation, the warrants allege.
During the investigation, the trooper cited a strong smell of alcohol beverage coming from Elliott, slurred speech, and relaxed, bloodshot watery eyes.
There were also multiple containers of beer, both empty and with beer still in them, within Elliott’s reach in the truck.
Besides the fatal injury to Cohen Bryson, Joshua Bryson suffered a broken back and ribs and a passenger, Santana Kelly suffered a brain bleed.
Elliott’s license was suspended at the time of the crash.
A review of Elliott’s record shows an array of arrests, all involving alcohol:
﹣ Nov. 23, 2013, DUI/alcohol;
﹣ April 4, 2015, DUI/alcohol, improper stopping;
﹣ July 25, 2015, underage consumption of alcohol, open container violation;
﹣ Aug. 15, 2015, underage consumption of alcohol;
﹣ Aug. 22, 2015, underage consumption of alcohol; and,
﹣ Dec. 14, 2015, contempt of court.
He was convicted on the Nov. 23 DUI charge Feb. 5, 2015, sentenced to 12 months probation and fined $1,061.
On May 11, 2015, he was convicted of the second DUI, sentenced to 12 months probation and fined $1,500.
The Aug. 22 underage consumption charge resulted in a Sept. 14, 2015, conviction that included 12 months probation and a $500 fine.
Elliott’s license was suspended in 2015, records show.