East Cobb man indicted for vehicular homicide in I-20 crash

A man living on Terrell Mill Road and who was charged with the death of a motorist in a fatal crash on I-20 in July has been indicted on three counts of vehicular homicide.

The Cobb District Attorney’s Office said Mark Steven Ridling, 29, of 1550 Terrell Mill Road, was indicted by a Cobb Superior Court grand jury on Oct. 3.

According to the indictment, Ridling was driving a Hyundai Azera in Interstate 20 near Factory Shoals Road in South Cobb after 2 a.m. on July 7 when his vehicle, which was traveling well in excess of the posted 70 mph speed limits, changed lanes. The Hyundai then struck a Toyota Corolla driven by Brian Betts, 47, of Atlanta, who later died at Grady Memorial Hospital as a result of the crash.

The indictment also said Ridling was driving while under the influence, and that he was driving “in a reckless manner on reckless disregard of the safety of persons and property.” Betts’ car overturned and Ridling’s Hyundai struck a barrier on the interstate.

Ridling suffered minor injuries and also was taken to Grady. He was arrested the same day and remains in the Cobb County Adult Detention Center without bond, according to Cobb Sheriff’s Office records.

 

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