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No bond set for teenager charged in nephews death
Joshua-Saunders
Saunders

GAINESVILLE — No bond was set for a 19-year-old Gainesville man charged with DUI and vehicular homicide in the death of his 2-year-old nephew Sunday.

During a first appearance Monday in Hall County Magistrate Court, a May 11 preliminary hearing was set for Joshua Saunders, who also is charged with reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

Saunders, who is being held at the Hall County Jail, is charged in the death of Landen Morton, who was pronounced dead at Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville, according to officials.

Georgia State Patrol responded to the incident at 12:25 p.m. Sunday at a residence on Miller Drive off Old Cornelia Highway in East Hall.

Saunders attempted to back up a black 1978 Chevrolet K10 pickup truck when the toddler ran behind the vehicle, Cpl. Auston Allen of the state patrol said.

A Hall County Sheriff’s deputy escorted Saunders back to the scene after spotting him about a half mile away, he said.

Toxicology tests on blood-alcohol content are pending, Allen said.

Also, the GSP’s collision reconstruction team is looking into the incident.

“Their investigation obviously takes a lengthy time,” Allen said.

Funeral services for Landen are set for Thursday at Memorial Park Funeral Home in Gainesville.