Estranged Georgia Husband Accused of Running Over Wife, Moving Her Body Inside and Waiting More Than an Hour to Call 911

A Georgia man is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly running over his estranged wife with his pickup truck, dragging her body back into her home and waiting more than an hour before calling 911. The disturbing case has raised questions about what happened in the moments before her death—and whether the incident was truly an accident, as the man’s defense attorney maintains.

Nelson David Clements, 64, was indicted in connection with the death of his estranged wife, Janice Frazier Clements, 58, who died on June 21. According to court records cited by Law&Crime, prosecutors allege that Nelson accelerated his Ram 1500 pickup truck while knowing Janice was holding onto the passenger-side door handle. He allegedly drove out of her driveway and ran her over in the street.

The indictment accuses Nelson of failing to stop immediately, return to the scene or provide reasonable assistance after the incident. Authorities say he subsequently moved Janice’s body back inside the home and delayed contacting emergency services. When first responders arrived, they were reportedly not told that a pickup truck had struck her. Janice was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

The investigation also uncovered allegations concerning the couple’s relationship before the fatal incident. Prosecutors accuse Nelson of contacting Janice at her home the previous day without her consent, allegedly to harass or intimidate her. A separate charge alleges that his actions hindered investigators from determining whether Janice had been unlawfully killed.

However, Nelson’s attorney, Jackie Patterson, has disputed the allegations, maintaining that Janice was responsible for grabbing onto his client’s vehicle and describing her death as a “complete accident.” The attorney has also challenged suggestions that Nelson was intoxicated, stating that police did not ask him to take an alcohol test.

Janice’s relatives have offered a different account of what they believe happened. Speaking to Atlanta television station WSB, family members said they suspected Janice was trying to prevent Nelson from driving because they believed he had been drinking. They also pointed to home surveillance footage that they believe raises questions about the circumstances of her death. According to the family, the time-stamped recording suggests Nelson returned toward the house, while more than an hour passed before emergency services were contacted.

Nelson was arrested on October 23 and booked into the DeKalb County Jail, where he is being held without bond. He faces two counts of first-degree vehicular homicide, along with charges of reckless driving, hit-and-run resulting in death, stalking and concealing another person’s death. His arraignment date had not been announced in the report. As the case moves forward, the competing accounts of the incident will be examined through the legal process, while Janice’s family continues to seek answers about the circumstances surrounding her death.

Source: Law&Crime