Woman Pleads Guilty to Homicide by Vehicle in Death of Franklin Co College Student

A woman responsible for the death of a Franklin County college student has pled guilty in Stephens County State Court to Homicide by Vehicle in the Second Degree.

44-year-old Amanda Lynn Phillips pled guilty Monday in the 2019 death of Anna Whitlock of Carnesville.

On March 18, 2022, Phillips was indicted by a Stephens County Grand Jury on one count of homicide by vehicle in the second degree, one county failure to maintain lane, and one count of distracted driving.

A warrant for Phillips’ arrest was issued.

On Monday Phillips entered a guilty plea to the three indicted charges and was sentenced to 12 months confinement for each of the three counts, to be served consecutively, for a total of 36 months.

The entire sentence is to be served on probation, however. And as a stipulation in the sentencing, Phillips will be required to spend 20 weekends – a total of 40 days – in the Stephens County Jail.

In April 2019, 18-year-old Anna Whitlock was killed when a Chevy Silverado driven by Phillips crossed the centerline of Highway 106 and struck the Ford Fiesta driven by Whitlock head-on at the intersection of Georgia Highways 106 and 320 near the Franklin/Stephens County line.

Whitlock, the daughter of Joey and Leigh Whitlock of Carnesville, was a freshman at Piedmont College and was on her way to class when the accident happened.

The Georgia State Patrol Troopers, EMS, and Sheriff’s deputies from both Franklin and Stephens counties responded.

Stephens County Coroner Chris Stephens said Whitlock died at the scene.

Phillips was transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital.

A two-month-old baby in the vehicle with Phillips was airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.

In addition to her sentence on Monday, Phillips was ordered to complete 120 hours of community service.

According to court documents, no fine was assessed against Phillips, but “restitution is to be determined.”