Estranged husband runs over wife in driveway with pickup truck, drags body inside home and waits an hour to call 911, police say

A 64-year-old Georgia man has been indicted on multiple criminal charges, including vehicular homicide, after allegedly running over his estranged wife with a pickup truck, dragging her body into a home, and delaying a 911 call.

According to court records and reports from Law and Crime, the incident unfolded in the state of Georgia, involving suspect Nelson David Clements and victim Janice Frazier Clements at a residential location within DeKalb County.

Incident Overview

Court records indicate that on June 21, Nelson David Clements was operating a Ram 1500 pickup truck at a residence located in the 2800 block of Leisure Springs Circle. Prosecutors state that Clements accelerated the vehicle while his estranged wife, Janice Frazier Clements, was holding onto the passenger-side door handle, ultimately running her over in the street. Rather than rendering immediate assistance or contacting emergency services, the suspect allegedly dragged her body back into the house and waited more than an hour before placing a 911 call. Officials noted that upon calling emergency services, Clements did not inform police or medical personnel that a vehicle had run over the victim.

Prior to the fatal incident, investigators stated that Clements contacted his wife at her home on June 20 without her consent for the purpose of harassment and intimidation, leading to an additional stalking charge. Family members of the victim reviewed home surveillance footage and asserted that Janice Clements was attempting to stop her husband from driving due to suspected intoxication, though defense counsel has disputed claims of alcohol impairment and maintained the collision was accidental.

Timeline of Events

1. June 20: Nelson David Clements allegedly contacts his estranged wife at her home without consent for the purpose of harassment and intimidation.
2. June 21, early morning: An incident occurs in the driveway on Leisure Springs Circle where Janice Frazier Clements is run over by a pickup truck.
3. June 21 at 2:54 a.m.: DeKalb County police officers respond to a serious-injury call at the residence following a delayed 911 call.
4. June 21: Janice Frazier Clements is transported to a local hospital, where she is pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
5. October 23: Nelson David Clements is arrested and booked into the DeKalb County Jail.

Suspect Information

The suspect in this case is identified as Nelson David Clements, a 64-year-old resident of Georgia. He is represented by defense attorney Jackie Patterson. Following his October 23 arrest, Clements was booked into the DeKalb County Jail, where authorities are holding him without bond.

Victim Information

The victim in this case is identified as 58-year-old Janice Frazier Clements. Family members stated publicly that she was attempting to prevent her estranged husband from driving due to concerns regarding alcohol consumption. Following the incident, she was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Police Response

DeKalb County police officers responded to the residence on Leisure Springs Circle at 2:54 a.m. on June 21 following a serious-injury call. First responders located the adult female victim at the scene and immediately initiated emergency transport to a local medical facility, where life-saving efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful.

Investigation

The investigation into the death of Janice Frazier Clements was conducted by the DeKalb County Police Department and involved prosecutors reviewing home surveillance footage captured at the scene. Investigators examined the sequence of events following the collision, including the delay in contacting emergency services and actions alleged to have hindered the discovery of the cause of death.

Evidence Collected

• Home surveillance video footage capturing the incident in the driveway
• The Ram 1500 pickup truck involved in the collision
• Medical and hospital records regarding the victim's arrival and pronouncement of death
• DeKalb County police dispatch and 911 call records

Arrest Details

Nelson David Clements was taken into custody by law enforcement on October 23. Following his apprehension, he was transported and booked into the DeKalb County Jail, where court records indicate he is currently detained without bond while awaiting further judicial proceedings.

Charges Filed

• First-degree vehicular homicide: A felony charge alleging the unlawful killing of a human being without malice through the reckless operation of a motor vehicle.
• Reckless driving: A misdemeanor or traffic offense involving the operation of a vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property.
• Hit-and-run resulting in death: A felony charge for failing to stop, remain at the scene, or render reasonable assistance after a motor vehicle collision involving fatal injuries.
• Stalking: A criminal charge stemming from allegations of repetitive, unwanted contact intended to harass and intimidate a person.
• Concealing the death of another: A felony offense involving actions taken to hide or hinder the discovery of a person's death from authorities.

Court Information

Legal proceedings in this matter are taking place within the judicial system of DeKalb County, Georgia. The defendant was formally indicted on multiple counts by a grand jury. Specific dates for future court hearings, such as formal arraignments, were not immediately released following his booking into the county jail.

Statements from Authorities

According to DeKalb County police, officers arrived at the residential location at 2:54 a.m. on June 21 in response to a serious-injury call and transported the victim to a local hospital. Officials stated that after dragging the victim's body back inside the house and waiting over an hour to contact emergency services, the suspect failed to inform police or medical personnel that a pickup truck had run her over. Defense attorney Jackie Patterson disputed allegations against his client, telling local media that the incident was a complete accident and asserting that law enforcement never administered an alcohol test to the defendant.

Public Safety Information

Domestic disputes and vehicular altercations present severe physical dangers to all parties involved. Individuals experiencing domestic conflict, harassment, or safety concerns are encouraged to seek assistance immediately through local law enforcement or crisis support networks. For those affected by domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-799-7233. In the event of an immediate life-threatening emergency, always dial 911.

What Happens Next

Following a formal indictment and arrest, the criminal justice process typically proceeds to an arraignment where the defendant enters a plea to the filed charges. Pretrial hearings, discovery exchanges, and motion practice will follow before any potential trial date is scheduled by the court.