MARIETTA, Ga. - Cobb County  police are defending their decision to charge a 16-year-old boy with second-degree vehicular homicide after a crash in which his mother, who was riding in the car, was killed.

WSB-TV reported that 45-year-old Kimberly Nichols was killed April 13 as her son drove the family's Volkswagen convertible to an orthodontist appointment.

Police said the teen, a new driver, was making a left turn from Dallas Highway onto Old Hamilton Road when the accident happened.

The family learned Tuesday that the teen now faces second-degree vehicular homicide charges.

The boy's father, Michael Mosley, said it makes no sense to charge the boy.

Cobb County police Sgt. Dana Pierce says a thorough investigation was conducted, and police filed the charges that were applicable under Georgia law.

Pierce said police have received more than a dozen emails criticizing the department, but he said police made the appropriate decision.