Augusta to Pay $700K to Family of Man Killed in Crash Involving Sheriff's Deputy

Deputy was driving 90 mph in a 55 mph zone when he struck the victim's vehicle, leading to criminal charges and a civil lawsuit.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The city of Augusta, Georgia has agreed to pay $700,000 to the family of Jay Fager, who was killed in 2023 when a Richmond County Sheriff's Office vehicle driven by Deputy Ty Dailey struck his car at an intersection. Dailey was traveling 90 mph in a 55 mph zone at the time of the crash, and he now faces criminal charges of homicide by vehicle and speeding. Fager's family filed a civil lawsuit against the city while the criminal case continues to move through the courts.

Why it matters

This case highlights issues around police accountability, high-speed pursuits, and the need for thorough investigations into crashes involving law enforcement. It also raises questions about the safety review process and whether the city adequately addressed prior incidents of reckless driving by the deputy involved.

The details

According to warrants, Deputy Ty Dailey was driving 90 mph in a 55 mph zone when his sheriff's office vehicle collided with the car driven by Jay Fager at the intersection of Highway 25 and Cohen Road. Fager was killed in the crash. Dailey was later indicted by a Burke County grand jury on charges of homicide by vehicle in the second degree and speeding, though the homicide charge was later dismissed on a technicality. Fager's family filed a civil lawsuit against the city, which has now agreed to pay them $700,000 to settle the case.

  • The crash occurred in 2023.
  • Dailey was indicted in October 2025.
  • The homicide charge was dismissed in July of the following year.
  • The civil lawsuit settlement was reached in February 2026.

The players

Jay Fager

The victim who was killed when Deputy Dailey's vehicle struck his car at the intersection.

Ty Dailey

The Richmond County Sheriff's Office deputy who was driving 90 mph in a 55 mph zone when the crash occurred, leading to criminal charges and a civil lawsuit.

Richmond County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that employed Deputy Dailey at the time of the fatal crash.

City of Augusta

The municipality that has agreed to pay $700,000 to settle the civil lawsuit filed by Fager's family.

Donna Fager

The wife of Jay Fager, who was killed in the crash and filed the civil lawsuit against the city.

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What they’re saying

“We must hold law enforcement accountable when their actions lead to tragic loss of life.”

— Donna Fager, Widow of Crash Victim

What’s next

The criminal case against Deputy Dailey is still ongoing, with the judge set to rule on Tuesday whether he will be allowed out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for rigorous investigations, appropriate disciplinary measures, and a culture of accountability within law enforcement agencies to prevent such devastating incidents from occurring in the future and eroding public trust.