COVINGTON, Ga. - Two Covington families are grieving after a vehicle lost control on Kirkland Road and crashed into a Kirkland Court home Monday afternoon, killing a 12-year-old boy and injuring another in the garage. 

According to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office accident report, Ruth Hockenberry’s grandson, Braydon Stevenson, and his friend, Lucas McWilliams, were in the garage searching for a hamster that got loose. A few minutes later, Hockenberry reported hearing a crash and observed a car coming into her living room from the garage. 

According to the report, a 1997 Dodge Ram, driven by Karlrio Kelsey, of Covington, was driving east on Kirkland Road, negotiating a left-hand curve, when the car’s passenger side tires left the road and Kelsey overcorrected to his left, crossing the double yellow line. Kelsey then reportedly crossed back to the right, leaving the roadway again before crossing Kirkland Court and entering Hockenberry’s front yard. Kelsey drove approximately 82 feet before hitting the closed garage door and house. 

The Ram struck McWilliams, 12, and the driver’s side rear of Hockenberry’s Toyota Sienna, which was parked in the garage. The impact pushed the Sienna into Stevenson, pinning him under the vehicle. 

Stevenson was transported to Piedmont Newton Hospital and McWilliams was airlifted to Children’s Hospital of Atlanta. Newton County Coroner Tommy Davis has confirmed Stevenson was pronounced deceased. 

According to the NCSO report, charges are pending. 

Since the accident, two GoFundMe fundraisers has been set up to support the families.