safety
Former officer sentenced in hit-and-run that killed 27-year-old on I-75/85
Summary by The Atlanta Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Tom Jones , WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 20, 2026
· 1 min read
A former Jonesboro police officer has been sentenced for a hit-and-run that killed a 27-year-old man. Godreque Newsom pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle in the first degree and hit-and-run in Abari Meade’s death. Channel 2’s Tom Jones was in the courtroom on Monday as Fulton County Judge Emily...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Atlanta Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Tom Jones, WSB-TV (ABC) - News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Channel 2’s Tom Jones was in the courtroom on Monday as Fulton County Judge Emily Richardson sentenced Newsom to 15 years with six to serve.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The sentencing of former Jonesboro Police Officer Godreque Newsom to 15 years with six to serve for the hit-and-run death of 27-year-old Abari Meade on I-75/85 raises questions about accountability and public trust in law enforcement. Meade's family expressed particular pain over Newsom's decision to leave the scene, a choice that contrasts sharply with the expectations of police officers to prioritize public safety and provide aid in emergency situations. The fact that Newsom was able to call police and arrange to turn himself in the next day, rather than staying to assist Meade, has sparked outrage and disappointment among community members. As the city grapples with issues of traffic safety and police accountability, this case serves as a stark reminder of the need for transparency and justice in cases involving law enforcement officers. The community will be watching to see how this case influences future discussions about police reform and accountability in Atlanta.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A former Jonesboro police officer has been sentenced for a hit-and-run that killed a 27-year-old man. Godreque Newsom pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle in the first degree and hit-and-run in Abari Meade’s death. Channel 2’s Tom Jones was in the courtroom on Monday as Fulton County Judge Emily...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Tom Jones at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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