Fired police officer is charged with vehicular homicide after his speeding patrol car going 97 mph jumped curb and killed 16-year-old

  • Jose Coreas-Mejia, 16, died from his injuries in Atlanta on Monday morning
  • He was hit by former Gwinnet officer Scott York's police cruiser on January 29 
  • York, a 24-year-old rookie cop, was going around 97 mph when he crashed 
  • He had hit Coreas-Mejia and his cousin Joel Melendez-Corea, 18
  • York was fired after the accident and now faces charges of speeding, reckless driving and vehicular homicide

By Cheyenne Roundtree For Dailymail.com

Published: 15:29 EST, 7 February 2017 | Updated: 20:16 EST, 7 February 2017

A police officer who was fired after hitting two teenage pedestrians while going 97 mph now faces a vehicular homicide charge after one of the victims died.

Jose Coreas-Mejia, 16, died from his injuries on Monday after he was hit by Scott York, 24, outside of Atlanta, Georgia, on January 29.

York, the rookie Gwinnett County cop who was fired after the collision, had lost control of his police cruiser and jumped the curb while he was en route to another traffic accident.

Former Gwinnett County police officer Scott York was charged with vehicular homicide after one of the two teens he hit with his police cruiser going 97 mph died from his injuries on Monday
The accident took place in Gwinnett County, outside of Atlanta, on January 29

Former Gwinnett County police officer Scott York was charged with vehicular homicide after one of the two teens he hit with his police cruiser going 97 mph died from his injuries on Monday. The accident took place outside of Atlanta, on January 29

York told investigators he was on a four-lane road when he traveled to the center lane to pass another car, according to WSB-TV. 

While he was doing so, another car started merging into the center lane too. 

Police spokeswoman Cpl. Michele Pihera in Gwinnett County, Georgia, says the 16-year-old died from his injuries following the accident two weeks ago.

The dead boy's cousin, 18-year-old Joel Melendez-Coreas, suffered minor injuries, and was released from the hospital back in January. 

The boy who died was 16-year-old Jose Coreas-Mejia. He was hit by York's squad car along with his cousin Joel Melendez-Coreas, 18, (pictured) who had minor injuries

The boy who died was 16-year-old Jose Coreas-Mejia. He was hit by York's squad car along with his cousin Joel Melendez-Coreas, 18, (pictured) who had minor injuries

An investigation found York broke police rules by traveling at 97 mph, more than twice the speed limit.

He had violated department policy by going more than 60 mph over the 40 mph speed limit before the accident.

Video courtesy of 11 Alive/WXIA 

The policy states during a Code 2 response, which York was responding to, officers can have 'intermittent use of emergency lights and siren is authorized to proceed through intersections and congested areas ... at no time shall the posted speed limit be exceeded,' the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. 

York turned himself over to police accompanied by his parents and was booked into jail on Tuesday.

In addition to vehicular homicide charges, York also faces speeding and reckless driving charges. He was fired after the accident when police investigators after he was found violating police policies. Pictured: Damage from the accident York caused

In addition to vehicular homicide charges, York also faces speeding and reckless driving charges. He was fired after the accident when police investigators after he was found violating police policies. Pictured: Damage from the accident York caused

 

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