SOUTH FULTON, GA — Bond has been denied for Santoria McLean, the woman charged in the April crash that killed South Fulton Police Captain Helio Garcia.
McLean is facing charges of DUI and vehicular homicide and was seeking release from jail while awaiting trial.
A Fulton County judge denied bond for McLean in a hearing held on Thursday.
Prosecutors allege McLean was driving more than 100 miles per hour on Flat Shoals Road when she veered across the center line and struck Garcia’s patrol vehicle head-on.
Garcia, a respected officer and well-known figure in the community, died in the line of duty.
Garcia’s widow, Eliana Garcia, plans to be in attendance for every court appearance, despite how emotionally difficult it has been.
“I’m here for my husband. I have to fight for him until the last moment, until this case is over,” she said.
McClean’s defense attorneys urged a judge to consider that fatal accident hurt her, too. Because McLean is in a wheelchair, she can’t get proper medical care behind bars. But Garcia’s father, Helio, Senior, argued stoically to keep her jailed.
“Ms. McLean broke the law going, over the speed limit and under the influence drunk,” an official said.
WSB’s Jennifer Perry contributed to this story