Columbus vehicular homicide suspect makes first court appearance

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)— One man accused of killing another in a car crash in July made his first appearance in Recorder’s Court Wednesday morning.

Wayne Gillette, 63, is charged with homicide by vehicle in the second degree and failure to stop at a stop sign. The crash happened on Victory Drive on July 25. Police say Gillette’s car struck Santiago on a motorcycle after running a stop sign.

Wednesday morning, he waived his preliminary hearing.

“As I understand, you want to waive your preliminary hearing, which is a probable cause hearing to determine if there is probable cause to go forward with the charges,” Chief Recorder’s Court Judge David Ranieri said to Gillette. “You want to waive that hearing, enter a not guilty plea, have your case bound over to State Court and you want to place a bond, is that correct?” Gillette nodded his head yes in response.

Judge Ranieri ordered a $5,000 bond for homicide of the second degree. The case was bound over to State Court.

Previous Coverage

• Sept. 3, 2024: Man charged with homicide by vehicle to make Recorder’s Court appearance (wrbl.com)
• July 25, 2024: Deadly motorcycle crash on U.S. Hwy. 280 Victory Drive | WRBL

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