According to a report from Officer Sara O’Hara of the Cobb County Police Department, the Cobb County Magistrate has issued an arrest warrant for Abigail Cook on suspicion of first-degree vehicular homicide. Cook was the driver of the car involved in a fatal accident on July 5 in which Alyssa Prindle, 18, of Marietta, fell out the back passenger side window.

The incident

According to investigators from the Cobb County Police Department’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Unit, on July 5 at about 1 a.m., Prindle was a passenger in the back seat of a silver 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe, traveling northbound on Johnson Ferry Road toward Sewell Mill Road. She rolled down the window and hung out, “yelling and screaming.”

Prindle fell out the window and struck the pavement.  She was transported to WellStar Kennestone Hospital, where she was admitted to Intensive Care.

She remained hospitalized and was pronounced dead on July 25.

Vehicular homicide charge added

Cook was charged on suspicion of underage driving under the influence, reckless driving, serious injury by vehicle (a felony), underage possession of alcohol, possession of false identification, and violation of class D drivers license hour restrictions.

The press release from the Cobb County Police Department stated that Cook was released on bond for the prior warrant. The Cobb County District Attorney is coordinating Cook’s appearance at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center on the new charge.

STEP Unit

The STEP Unit, which investigated this incident, is one of the department’s Special Operations units, and  is described on the web page of the Cobb County Police Department as follows:

“The Selective Traffic Enforcement Unit is responsible for investigating all fatal traffic crashes, enforcement of traffic laws in those areas which analysis indicates an elevated amount of crashes. They are also responsible for the administration and execution of the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program. They also take part in special security details, and investigate crashes involving Department vehicles when requested.”