Vidalia teen’s case bound over to grand jury

Published 12:00 am Thursday, June 10, 2010

VIDALIA — The Vidalia teen accused in a fatal single-vehicle accident will be bound over to a Concordia Parish grand jury.

Cody Allen McEntyre, 17, 115 North Grove, Vidalia, is charged with vehicular homicide, negligent injuring (first degree), DWI (first offense), careless operation and no seat belt in relation to the late March accident that claimed the life of 18-year-old Jimmy Williams Jr. of Vidalia.

The defendant was scheduled to be arraigned in court Wednesday, but District Attorney Brad Burget asked Judge Glen Strong to pass the matter until July 21.

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“I plan to present it to the grand jury because it is a homicide matter,” Burget said.

The purpose of the grand jury is to determine if enough evidence exists against a defendant to charge the defendant with a given crime.

McEntyre’s attorney Derrick Carson said he had no objections to the continuance as long as his client was allowed to remain out of jail on the same bond he had already posted, which Strong agreed to allow.

The teen suspect is currently free on a $31,600 bond.

The case began March 28, when the Louisiana State Police responded to an early morning crash involving a Chevrolet Cobalt on Mooselodge Road.

The driver of the vehicle, McEntyre, reportedly lost control as it entered a curve in the road, and the vehicle began to rotate to the right, traveling 160 feet before leaving the road, according to an LSP release at the time of the accident.

The vehicle would travel another 65 feet before overturning on its left side and striking a utility pole.

Three people were in the vehicle, McEntyre, Jimmy Wiliams and 17-year-old Jenny Jo Williams.

Jimmy Williams had to be extricated from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jenny Jo Williams — the sister of the deceased — and McEntyre were transported to local hospitals and treated.

None of the passengers in the vehicle were wearing seat belts.

A vehicular homicide conviction carries a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of 30 years.