Published: March 23, 2008 02:55 pm            

Two killed in vehicle wreck

After shoplifting from the Kmart on Walnut Avenue on Sunday morning, Charles Shadwick drove at high speeds to leave the area, causing a two-car crash in Tunnel Hill that critically injured him and killed his father and girlfriend, according to law enforcement officials.

George Shadwick, 63, and Lori Amabile, 38, both of Ringgold, were killed after the Nissan Pathfinder they were riding in flipped before hitting a Ford Explorer and a concrete wall on Highway 201 at I-75 exit 341, said Georgia State Patrol Cpl. D.C. Gleaton.

The driver of the Explorer, Jose Munguia, of Texas, was treated and released from Hamilton Medical Center with minor injuries. Two passengers in that vehicle, Mauva Lopez and a 1-year-old, were not injured.

Within minutes of a lookout being placed on a Nissan Pathfinder whose driver and occupants were suspected of shoplifting from the Kmart, a Dalton Police officer spotted the car near the intersection of Shugart Road and Highway 41, according to a news release from the Dalton Police Department.

The officer attempted to pull the car over but it headed north on I-75, according to the release.

“Because the driver of the suspect vehicle was driving erratically, our officer terminated a chase and followed at a safe speed,” the release states.

The officer was getting off the interstate at exit 341 to turn around when he saw the Pathfinder crash just before 11 a.m., Gleaton said.

Charles Shadwick was turning right off the exit ramp onto Highway 201 too fast, which caused the Pathfinder to flip and crash into the Explorer, which was traveling south on 201, and a concrete wall, Gleaton said.

The Pathfinder was barely recognizable crumpled on its side next to the wall and the Explorer. Rescue workers had to cut the roof off the vehicle to remove Charles Shadwick before airlifting him to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga.

Amabile was not been wearing her seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle, Gleaton said. George Shadwick was wearing his seat belt. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Charles Shadwick is suspected of driving under the influence of a prescription drug or narcotic, Gleaton said.

Charles Shadwick is charged with two counts of first degree vehicular homicide, DUI, reckless driving, and a seat belt violation, and several other charges are pending by the state patrol and Dalton Police Department.

Highway 201 was down to one lane for at least two hours Sunday as officials cleaned the wreckage. The road and the northbound exit ramp were completely shut down for several minutes while the helicopter landed to airlift Charles Shadwick.

        

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