A Chickamauga woman has been charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and failure to yield the right of way in a Sept. 15 accident that killed two motorcyclists.

LaFayette Public Safety Director Charles "Dino" Richardson said Tuesday the charges, both misdemeanors, were filed Monday against Cynthia Kingsley of West Cove Road. Kingsley was released the same day on bond, he said.

According to the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, the minimum penalty for second-degree vehicular homicide is probation and the maximum is a year in jail.

The wreck occurred at U.S. 27 and the U.S. 27 bypass around LaFayette, Richardson said.

Just before 11 p.m., Richard H. Samuelson of Boss Road was traveling north on U.S. 27 on a 2003 Suzuki motorcycle with passenger Melissa K. Panelle of Ga. 341. Kingsley was traveling south on U.S. 27 in a 1997 Ford F-350.

Two witnesses said Kingsley turned left onto the bypass and into the motorcycle’s path.

“All evidence looks like the pickup truck may have turned in front of the motorcycle,” Richardson said.

Samuelson was pronounced dead at the scene, Richardson said. Panelle was later pronounced dead at the Hutcheson Medical Center emergency room.

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