DeKalb County officer fired after charged with vehicular homicide

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - A DeKalb County Police officer is now behind bars charged with a jogger's death. He hit her while responding to a 911 call for a traffic hazard last month, according to police.

Janet Pickney, 68, was running along Chamblee-Tucker Road during the early morning of July 25. Investigators said the Officer Ian MacGowan swerved to miss another car which had pulled out in front of him and ended up striking Pickney.

Monday, DeKalb County Police Chief James Conroy said the Officer MacGowan did not have his lights or siren activated, which is standard for that type of call, but what was out of line was the fact he was speeding.

The chief said MacGowan has been charged with vehicular homicide, reckless driving, speeding, and failure to maintain lanes.

Chief Conroy said MacGowan will be fired. The 31-year-old had worked for the department for four years.

The chief also extended his sincerest condolences to the Pickney family.

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