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Local Trial Lawyers Association meets
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The Alcovy Rockdale Trial Lawyers Association held a luncheon for its first regular meeting Thursday at The Center.

The group, made up of lawyers in Newton, Rockdale and Walton counties that specialize in trial work (not including criminal law or defending insurance companies), with a mission to serve their community by improving the practice of law and advocating to access to justice for everyone.

The group's speaker was local lawyer Greg Pope, who discussed his recent verdict in Morgan County after a vehicle collision trial. Attendees receive credit toward required continuing legal education classes. Attendees include Rockdale State Court Judge Nancy Bills and Georgia Trial Lawyers President Elect Buck Rogers.

April 3 crash kills two young adults, injures third
Newton County Sheriff Car---WEB

NEWTON COUNTY — Around 10 a.m. on Thursday, a head-on collision on Highway 212 left two young adults dead and a third hospitalized.

Joe Navarro, 21, was driving the vehicle and Breanna Smith, 18, was in the passenger seat. Katie New, 20, sat between them.

According to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle lost control while going around a curve and crossed the centerline, where it collided head-on with a box truck. The crash report shows that their vehicle traveled another hundred feet after impact before coming to a stop. It spun, ended up facing the opposite direction on the shoulder of the opposite lane.

Navarro and Smith were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. New was airlifted to Grady Hospital. Her current condition is not known. 

Navarro, Smith and New were not believed to be wearing seatbelts when the collision occurred.

The driver of the box truck was not reported to have suffered any injuries.

This is an ongoing story. The News will post updates as they are made available.