Emerson Mayor Al Pallone killed in traffic accident; driver pleads guilty

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Georgia — Editor’s note: The above video is from a previous report.

A judge sentenced a Georgia man to 30 years in prison, including 10 years in prison, for a drunken driving crash that killed longtime Emerson Mayor Al Pallone and his wife Millie in 2022.

Cherokee County District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway said 52-year-old William Bryan Abernathy pleaded guilty to six counts of voluntary manslaughter with a motor vehicle, six counts of serious personal injury with a motor vehicle, reckless driving and two counts of driving while intoxicated.

In addition to the 30-year sentence, the first 10 of which he was to serve in pretrial detention, a judge ordered Abernathy to undergo drug evaluation and treatment, abstain from drugs and alcohol, and perform 120 hours of community service, among other requirements.

Cherokee County officials responded to the four-vehicle crash on Dec. 10, 2022. It occurred on Knox Bridge Highway, east of Field Landing Road. Prosecutors said Abernathy caused the crash after losing control of his Chevrolet Silverado truck.

“That afternoon, Abernathy consumed alcohol before driving east on Knox Bridge Highway,” a news release from the district attorney’s office said. “Just before 4 p.m., the truck was traveling 76 miles per hour in a 55 mph speed limit zone.”

He lost control of his truck on a curve and collided with a Hyundai Santa Fe, prosecutors said. The Pallones were in the vehicle. Their Hyundai overturned and landed in the forest after it was also hit by a GMC van.

Prosecutors said Abernathy’s truck also struck a Mazda in the collision.

Prosecutors said officers smelled alcohol and noticed Abernathy was having trouble balancing. He initially denied drinking alcohol but eventually admitted to drinking beer, the release said. About four hours after the crash, his blood alcohol level was .249; the legal limit in Georgia is .08.

The public prosecutor’s office stated in the press release that the couple died from blunt force trauma. The other two drivers survived their injuries but had to be freed from their vehicles.

“On December 10, 2022, two people lost their lives and two others were seriously injured because of the defendant’s decision to operate a vehicle while intoxicated,” said Assistant District Attorney Pete Lamb. “During the hearing, the courtroom was filled to capacity with family members and law enforcement officers who showed their support to the victims. The Pallones were very loved by their family and their community.”

Al, 65, and Millie, 69, had three children and grandchildren.

“We hope the verdict provides some closure to those injured and to the families and friends who have lost loved ones,” Treadaway said.

Al Pallone served the City of Emerson, Bartow County, as mayor for 15 years and as city councilor for over 20 years.