46-year-old Richard Darren Hester was riding his motorcycle with his wife, Jamie Hester, on Saturday September 24, 2011. Shortly after 6 p.m. the couple was riding southbound on Georgia Highway 11 in Hall County when their bike was hit by an alleged drunk driver. Mr. Hester, a Walter County deputy sheriff, was not on duty at the time of the crash.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Hester were ejected from their motorcycle during the collision. Mr. Hester was declared dead at the scene of the accident, and Mrs. Hester was airlifted to Atlanta Medical Center with serious accident injuries.

The alleged drunk driver has been identified as 59-year-old Robert Champine, of Gainesville. Mr. Champine was driving a Chevrolet 3500 truck when he collided with the Hesters. He has been arrested and booked into the Hall County jail. Mr. Champine faces multiple charges related to this Hall County car crash including: vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, felony marijuana possession, and failure to yield. He was not injured in the crash.

We extend our sincerest condolences to Jamie Hester and to the friends, family and coworkers of Richard Hester. We also wish Jamie Hester a quick and complete recovery following her Hall County accident injuries.