DUI, Manslaughter Suspect Escapes From Hospital

February 17, 2011 at 6:21 pm EST



https://www.wsbtv.com/news/dui-mansl...tal/241813040/

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County police are searching for a DUI and vehicular manslaughter suspect who slipped out of a hospital where he was being treated. The family of his alleged victim is distraught.

"This suspect shouldn't have been left alone at all," said Demetria Gholston, mother of the manslaughter victim.

Police identified the suspect as 23-year-old Brayan Rivera, who may be in the country illegally. His case unfolded in the early-morning hours of Dec.12, when he was involved in a drunken driving crash on Interstate 85 near Jimmy Carter Boulevard, police said. They said Rivera struck a car carrying 22-year-old Joshua Keith, of Norcross, and his girlfriend.

DUI, Manslaughter Suspect Slips Out Of Hospital
All three were injured and taken to the Gwinnett Medical Center, but there was no police officer guarding Rivera.

"To me, it's like he was just allowed the opportunity to flee," Gholston told Channel 2 Action News reporter Manuel Bojorquez.

Keith died hours later, while a detective was securing a DUI arrest warrant for Rivera, police said. When the detective returned, Rivera had slipped away.

Gwinnett County police Cpl. Jake Smith stands by the department's actions in the case.

"It's understandable anybody would feel the same way (as the victim's family)," Smith said. "By our policy, it's a case-by-case basis whether a guard is posted. We have not posted guards for DUIs, pretty much ever. It's not something we have the manpower to do."

Keith's family is working to put together a reward for any information leading to the arrest of Rivera, and police are asking for the public's help in capturing him.

WSBTV