A teenager has been charged in connection with a May 4 head-on collision that claimed the life of a 72-year-old woman in northeastern Forsyth County.

Cory Thomas Esco, 18, of Holbrook Road faces one count each of second-degree vehicular homicide and failure to maintain lane, said Forsyth County Sheriff’s Capt. Frank Huggins.

Huggins said Esco was released May 9 from Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.

“He has not been processed at the jail,” Huggins said. “He has been written two citations because he is recovering from his injuries at home. When he recovers he will be processed.”

He said the charges against Esco are both misdemeanors.

Ruby Peckham of Brookshire Road died as a result of the wreck.

According to sheriff’s reports, Peckham was traveling west on Keith Bridge Road in her 2004 Chevrolet Impala when she was struck by the 1998 Ford Explorer Esco was driving.

Peckham was killed instantly.

Authorities said Esco was headed east and, for unknown reasons, crossed the center line. There were no passengers in either vehicle and it was raining heavily at the time.  

Funeral services for Peckham, a mother of three, were May 11 in her native Wisconsin.

E-mail Julie Arrington at juliearrington@forysythnews.com.