Reeves to serve six years for death

Joseph Brian “Joey” Reeves has been sentenced to serve six years in prison for causing the death of Earl Ronald Chase October 13, 2022.

Chase, 70, was killed in a two-vehicle crash just outside the McCaysville City Limits when Reeves crossed the centerline in the Nissan Murano he was driving and struck Chase’s Mercury Mountaineer head on. Reeves was heading into McCaysville while Chase was headed toward Mobile.

Reeves, 43, was taken into custody at the scene, where Chase had been pronounced dead by Fannin County Deputy Coroner Felicia Folds.

Reeves was initially charged with Homicide by Vehicle in a warrant taken out by Sergeant First Class Jason Bradburn of Georgia State Patrol Post 27 in Blue Ridge. Additional charges of Driving Under the Influence/Drugs and multiple traffic offenses were added.

A Fannin County Grand Jury returned a 15 count indictment against Reeves March 7, 2024. Included were:

•Two counts of felony, Homicide by Vehicle in the First Degree;

•Six counts of Driving Under the Influence, Less Safe, Drugs;

•One count, Driving Under the Influence, Less Safe, Combined Influence;

•One count, Driving Under the Influence; and

• One count each of Reckless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane, Distracted Driving, Failure to Wear Safety Belt, and Failure to Carry License.

Reeves was accused in the indictment of being under the influence of methamphetamine, amphetamine, oxycodone, alprazolam, diphenhgydramine, citalopram, and mitragynine.

Reeves had been released on bond after the crash. At least once, according to Fannin County Superior Court records, the state attempted to revoke that bond.

According to an Order Setting Bond June 13, 2024, Reeves had been held “for a bond violation due to a positive drug screen through pre-trial services.”

The state had asked that Reeves remain jailed, while his attorney asked that more bond conditions be added. The court sided with Reeves and he was freed.

Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney Frank Wood III said Reeves accepted a plea bargain Monday night, September 30, pleading guilty to one count of Felony, Homicide by Vehicle in the First Degree. He was sentenced to a total of 15 years with six to serve. He will be under supervised probation when he is released from prison.

Wood said the deal came after two full days of arguing motions and just before Reeves case was set to go to trial.

Chief Superior Court Judge Brenda Weaver accepted the plea deal in Fannin County Superior Court, Wood said.

Reeves was immediately taken into custody.