CHATTANOOGA — A Criminal Court jury found Randy Vega guilty of two counts of vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular assault, and other charges related to a traffic collision on Frazier Avenue. The collision resulted in the deaths of two individuals from a Florida family and injuries to a third person.
The jury also convicted 46-year-old Vega of reckless driving, reckless endangerment, failing to maintain a lane, and driving under the influence. Judge Boyd Patterson will sentence Vega on August 10 at 9 a.m.
During the trial, the defense attributed responsibility for the collision to Dr. Patrick McGinty. The defense stated that Dr. McGinty accelerated his vehicle as both cars traveled away from the Woodland Avenue intersection. Dr. McGinty testified that he felt fearful after Vega looked at him at that intersection.
Prosecutors argued that Vega attempted to maneuver ahead of Dr. McGinty's pickup truck. Prosecutors also argued that Vega continued to accelerate before losing traction near the intersection of Frazier Avenue and Forest Avenue. Vega, a military veteran diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, declined to testify during his trial.