Jackson man accused of running over woman during argument after a night out

BUTTS COUNTY, Ga. - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested and charged Nathan Shane Upchurch, a 50-year-old resident of Jackson, with Felony Murder and Hit and Run in Butts County. The charges are related to an incident that occurred in Jackson on Oct. 20. 

Preliminary information suggests that at approximately 11:40 p.m., the Butts County 911 center received a report that a woman, later identified as 51-year-old Jackson resident Brooke Bedard Sides, was discovered deceased in her driveway on Watkins Park and Pool Road in Jackson. It was reported that an argument had ensued between Sides and Upchurch after they returned home. As Upchurch was leaving the residence, he struck Sides with his vehicle, leading to her untimely death. Deputies from the Butts County Sheriff’s Office promptly arrived at the scene and confirmed Sides' passing.

Nathan Shane Upchurch has been incarcerated in the Butts County Jail.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and authorities urge anyone with relevant information to contact either the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office at 478-445-5102 or the GBI regional investigative office in Milledgeville at 478-445-4173. Additionally, anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or via the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Upon the completion of the investigation, the case file will be handed over to the Butts County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.