Investigators: Road rage possible factor fatal crash involving teens

WALTON COUNTY, Ga. - A family is mourning following a crash that claimed the life of a local teenager. And now authorities in Walton County are investigating a possible road rage death.

The victim, Kalib Blackwell, 19, was riding in a car with a teen driver Saturday when they crashed into another vehicle, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

The crash happened on Highway 138. Published reports say the teenage driver and an adult driver in a pickup truck exchanged words as both vehicles traveled southbound.

At some point, both drivers sped as one attempted to pass the other.

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FOX 5 News spoke with GSP Cpl. Jeremiah Slayton Friday to see if road rage was involved.

"Based off the report you have in hand, it is possible," Slayton told FOX 5's Marissa Mitchell. "And due to the fact this has turned into a fatality case, we are investigating it to its fullest and using the SCRT team and bringing them in to make sure that no more charges are warranted."

Slayton said GSP's Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT) provides specially trained investigators to document evidence in collisions that can be used for court prosecution. They'll look into any contributing factors, including speed, momentum and crash damage.

Slayton insists no one should jump to conclusions until the investigation is complete.

"Let us conduct our investigation and come to a conclusion at the end of it," he said.

A relative of Blackwell told FOX 5 the family expected him to return home from the hospital Monday however he died from complications following surgery.

Slayton send his condolences to the family.

"It's heartbreaking for us too because, in all actuality, we are the ones who are experiencing this along with them. We have to go out and notify families on death cases," Slayton said.

There is a memorial fund set up for Kalib Blackwell.