Antoinette Catchings Killed in DeKalb County Pedestrian A...
18-year-old driver and juvenile passenger face vehicular homicide charges following police pursuit
Antoinette Catchings, 56, was killed and her teenage grandchild was critically injured in a pedestrian accident near Covington Highway and Panola Road in DeKalb County, Georgia, on April 16, according to the DeKalb County Police Department.
Joseph Odeh, 18, was booked into jail Monday on charges including first-degree vehicular homicide, serious injury by motor vehicle, and fleeing or attempting to elude an officer. A juvenile passenger who fled the scene on foot was also apprehended and faces charges of second-degree vehicular homicide and theft by receiving stolen property.
The collision occurred just before 3:40 p.m. when officers attempted to stop a stolen vehicle. The driver sped away at a high rate of speed, lost control, left the road, and struck the two people.
The grandmother died at the scene. Paramedics transported the teen to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries.
Both suspects were taken to the hospital for treatment before being placed in custody. The investigation remains ongoing.
Families navigating the sudden loss of a loved one and the critical injury of a child following a police pursuit face a complex path to justice. While the criminal justice system holds fleeing drivers accountable, independent investigations are important to uncover all liable parties, including potential municipal liability. National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors considered and examined ... An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision."
How does a police pursuit impact liability in DeKalb County?
When a collision occurs during an active law enforcement pursuit, investigators must evaluate whether the chase adhered to departmental safety protocols. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,148 pedestrians were killed nationwide in 2024, with much of deaths occurring when vehicles leave the travel lanes.
What happens when a stolen vehicle strikes a pedestrian?
Because the vehicle involved was reported stolen, traditional liability insurance may not apply, often requiring victims to seek recovery through their own uninsured or underinsured drivers (UM/UIM) policies. National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal. "Generally, driver’s negligence is to blame for most pedestrian accidents. Whether it’s being distracted by something such as their cell phone, being in a rush, or simply not paying the proper attention, these accidents result in catastrophic injuries."
Georgia wrongful death statute
Under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-1, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Georgia applies modified comparative fault (50% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages focus on the full value of the life of the decedent, including both economic and intangible losses.