The driver of a car that hit four teens on Friday, Jan. 30, at 13th and Troup said immediately after the accident that she tried to stop and couldn’t stop, according to Commissioner Tarence Maddox.
Tamika Pledger, 38, who was charged with four counts of reckless aggravated battery on Sunday, told Maddox that her car wouldn’t stop. Pledger is a candidate for UG Commission, 1st District at large, having filed for office recently. She has been a community activist, speaking out against violent drive-by shootings.
“She told me she didn’t mean to do it,” Maddox said.
The accident injured four teens, and as of recent reports, one is still in critical condition.
Pledger was released from jail today after posting bond, according to a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Department. Her next court date is scheduled at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10.
Maddox said that while he did not see the accident happen, he came upon it within about 30 seconds after it happened, and he tried to assist at the accident scene. He said he was convinced that the accident was not intentional.
Maddox said the investigation would determine the various factors in the case, such as whether there was something wrong with the brakes. There was a hill where it is possible that the driver could not see ahead, but whether that is a factor, he does not know.
There has been some speculation that the car was speeding, but because he was not there when the accident happened, Maddox said he could not say whether the car was speeding.
Four teens were outside, fighting, at the time of the crash, and Pledger’s family has stated on Facebook that she was on her way to the scene because someone had told her a young relative was at the fight, and she wanted to make peace.
Commissioner Maddox said a girl had posted a video of the fight on her Facebook page, that he saw the video, and many people shared it. He said the video ended before the accident. However, he disagreed with the Facebook post that alleged the accident was intentional, and said he does not believe it was.
The impact of the girls’ fight, subsequent accident and its effect “is definitely a loss to the community,” Maddox said.
It has resulted in serious injuries to the teens, and families pointing fingers at one another. Pending the investigation, it also can be a loss on many other levels, he said.
The community could be without an activist who is trying to reduce violence. It also will be hard for Pledger to run an election campaign if she is fighting a court battle, and also trying to recuperate from the incident, he said.
“It’s probably a loss for everybody, all around,” Maddox said. “It’s unfortunate.”
A campaign adviser for another candidate, who has been supportive of Pledger’s community efforts, said that he is keeping an eye on the case, and he was hoping that justice and truth prevail. He said it would be consistent for Pledger to try to reach out and try to resolve an issue herself.