Vicksburg man indicted for aggravated DUI in death|[08/02/07]

Published 12:00 am Thursday, August 2, 2007

The driver in a May fatal wreck in Vicksburg was released on bond Wednesday after being arraigned on an indictment for aggravated driving under the influence in the death of his passenger.

A GMC Yukon driven by Timothy Pee, 21, 106 Colonial Drive, flipped on Confederate Avenue near Wisconsin Avenue on May 20, killing Christopher Rawlings, 27, 810 Queen St.

Assistant District Attorney Mike Bonner said Pee could be sentenced to 25 years in prison if found guilty in the trial scheduled for March 10. His attorney is Frank Campbell of Vicksburg.

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Pee was indicted last week by the July term of the Warren County Grand Jury and the indictment became public after arraignment. Pee posted a $10,000 bond for his release from the Warren County Jail.

At the time of the wreck, investigating officer Vicksburg Patrolman Bobby Jones said Pee and Rawlings were westbound on Confederate Avenue.

According to Jones, the SUV left the road, went airborne, flipped at least once and struck a tree. The vehicle came to rest on its top in a thicket of woods alongside the road just past Rosedown Street.

Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey said Rawlings died immediately of internal injuries.

Pee was treated and released from River Region Medical Center.

Christopher Rawlings was the second son of Willette Rawlings in two years to die in a wreck in Vicksburg. Corey Rawlings died along Interstate 20 in January 2005. His stepsister, Almeda Rawlings, also died in a wreck that same year.

Christopher Rawlings was the cousin of Vicksburg contractor Tommie F. Rawlings, who along with his brother, Eric, are candidates in local elections. Tommie Rawlings is seeking the District 2 seat on the Warren County Board of Supervisors. Eric Rawlings is a candidate for the state Senate.

Two other grand jury indictments were made public Wednesday, bringing the total to 76. In addition, from the 110 cases heard last week, 25 no-bills were returned.

The group adjourned its July term a week ago after having been in session for four days. Warren County grand juries are chosen each January, May, July and October.

Other indictments released Wednesday were: