Man Charged in DUI Death Released on Bond

Charged with DUI and vehicular homicide in the death of Grady Hospital EMT Jason Dale Strickland, Francisco Ferrer, 32 of Dallas, was allowed to bond out of jail.

Douglas County Superior Court Judge Robert James set Ferrer's bond at $300,000 in an order, filed with the County Clerk's Office on Dec. 26. James had originally denied bond to Ferrer in April of 2012, when he was originally in court.

It is not clear why the change in decision. James' office said the judge would not comment on an on-going case.

“We are confident that the evidence in this case demonstrates the defendant was properly charged with being under the influence when he caused the death of this victim,” said Douglas County District Attorney David McDade. “The victim made a career as an EMT helping others, we intend to honor his legacy by helping this family seek the justice they deserve.” 

Ferrer was traveling west on Interstate 20, in March of 2012, when his Honda Element struck Strickland's Harley Davidson from behind, said Gordy Wright, a spokesman for the Georgia State Patrol.

Assistant District Attorney Ryan Leonard told the court that Ferrer was drunk with a blood alcohol content of .125, the Douglas County Sentinel reported. The impact ejected Strickland from the motorcycle and into the center travel lane where he was hit by a tractor-trailer truck.

“I just don’t know how you wouldn’t know immediately that you had hit a Harley – that’s a big bike – unless you were so drunk that you were incoherent to all that was going on around you,” James said at the orignial trial, the Sentinel reported. “I do feel that there is a likelihood that you would do this again. Mr. Ferrer, you are not the first person to stand before me accused of having killed someone after a fun night at Fannie’s. Bond is denied.”