Ernesto Pelayo, 34, of Lilburn was arrested for allegedly killing his brother-in-law with his truck during a Christmas party. | Gwinnett County Twitter page
Ernesto Pelayo, 34, of Lilburn was arrested for allegedly killing his brother-in-law with his truck during a Christmas party. | Gwinnett County Twitter page
A Lilburn man who allegedly hit his brother-in-law with his truck and killed him during an altercation at a Christmas party was charged with felony murder and aggravated assault.
According to Gwinnett County Police, Ernesto Pelayo, 34 of Lilburn, was charged with the murder of 41-year-old Juan Davila of Lawrenceville.
A Fox 5 Atlanta report said the incident happened along Great Oaks Drive near the intersection of Windsor Oak Circle in Lawrenceville at a party hosted by Davila that began at 5 p.m. on Dec. 17.
Police investigators believe that Davila was intentionally hit by Pelayo with his black Dodge Ram. They said the two were in a physical altercation in the early hours of the morning in the backyard. The incident was reported at 5:15 a.m. and the injured Davila was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries. Police were told by witnesses at the scene that Pelayo got into his truck and hit Davila. The cause of the fight is under investigation.
Police sought Pelayo and he has since been detained. Pelayo is being held without bond at the Gwinnett County Adult Detention Center.
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