Forsyth County woman charged in icy wreck that killed passenger Matthew Inman

A 21-year-old Cumming woman was charged with 2nd degree vehicular homicide Friday moing after losing control of her car on an icy overpass, killing her passenger.

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office said Jera Coen, 21, was driving too fast when she hit a patch of ice on Buford Dam Road at the Ga. 400 overpass around 10:45 a.m. Coen's Pontiac Firebird skidded counterclockwise across the center line and into an oncoming BMW, killing 38-year-old Matthew Inman, of Cumming.

Coen was transported to North Fulton Hospital with minor injuries; the driver of the BMW escaped unharmed. Coen is also accused of failure to maintain lane and driving too fast for conditions.

Second degree vehicular homicide typically encompasses incidents where someone dies unintentionally due to a failure to yield, speeding or even driving too slowly, among other examples.

The charge leveled against Coen is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine of up to $1,000. Judges have significant latitude in such cases, foregoing punishment altogether if they see fit, according to the law.