A man has been arrested and charged with homicide by vehicle and failure to yield after he allegedly struck and killed a motorcyclist in Dacula on Saturday night.

He is 63-year-old Samuel Perry of Hoschton.

He is accused of causing the death of 27-year-old Braetan Petraro of Powder Springs.

Petraro was riding his bike along Braselton Highway and approaching the Hamilton Creek Parkway intersection at the time of the crash. As he continued straight, a Chevrolet Tahoe attempted to make a left turn in front of him. The two vehicles collided.

Petraro was taken to a nearby hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Police say Perry, the driver of the Tahoe, was arrested on Thursday. Both charges are misdemeanors. Perry is being held in the Gwinnett County jail in lieu of $11,400 bond.

A driver convicted of vehicular homicide in Georgia can experience a range of criminal penalties.

First-degree homicide by vehicle is a felony offense and it applies to the most reckless and negligent actions. These include reckless driving, unlawfully passing a school bus, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, and leaving the scene of the crash. 

However, Perry is being charged with second-degree homicide by vehicle. This charge applies when a motorist causes death by violating basic traffic laws. This can result in up to one year in jail, a fine of $1,000 or both.

In addition to the criminal penalties, a civil suit can also be brought by the victim’s family to recover damages.

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