ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — The fight for justice continues in the case involving a Lowndes County 10-year-old who died in a car accident.

Autumn Rae died in what officials are calling a suspected DUI crash in April of 2023.

Her mother, Vangela Vickers, and the alleged driver of the vehicle, Jodie Herndon-Everidge, face several charges in connection with her death. They have pleaded not guilty.

For Herndon-Everidge, the case is in the hands of the Court of Appeals. As defense attorneys have requested an immediate review of several motions filed.

Within the five filings, the defense team is asking for a number of things. They’re challenging whether a crime or cause of action has been legally stated. They’re also requesting to suppress all alleged field sobriety evidence. The court denied all motions.

“The trial court has said look, I didn’t agree with you but you have the right to seek an appeal and you have the right to try and seek that now rather than later,” Chris Cohilas, a legal expert, said. “The court of appeals will then make a decision within a couple of months to rather or not they will accept the appeal.”

According to the Lowndes County District Attorney’s Office, the defense is appealing the Amended and Supplemented motion to suppress evidence.

If accepted, it’ll be argued at the court of appeals. If denied, it’ll come back to the trial court, and the case will proceed to trial.

This is a developing story; we will continue to provide updates on air and online.

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