Court awards $56.5 million for wrongful death of UGA graduate student Beth Buchanan
Beth Buchanan and her mother, Julie, pose for a photo. (Courtesy/Julie Buchanan)
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A judge awarded $56.5 million in damages to the family of Beth Buchanan in a wrongful death case from the February 2023 high-speed drunk-driving crash that resulted in the death of the University of Georgia Ph.D. student.
The Athens-Clarke County court awarded damages after entering a default against the defendant, Cesar Raudales Macias of Athens, who has eluded law enforcement since the wreck and remains a fugitive. U.S. Marshals are continuing the search for him.
The hearing determined the amount of damages to be awarded for the full value of Beth Buchanan’s life.
“This judgment formally recognizes the immense value of Beth’s life and how truly extraordinary she was,” Rob Snyder of Cannella Snyder, counsel for the Buchanan family, said in a press release. “This is an important first step towards accountability.”
Tim Buchanan and Julie Olson-Buchanan remain committed to seeking justice and said that they are devastated by the loss of their daughter.
“No amount of money could ever account for the loss of our daughter or fill the void she left behind,” Tim Buchanan and Julie Olson-Buchanan said in the release. “For us, this judgment is about a formal, legal acknowledgment of the beautiful life that was stolen from her and all those who loved her.”
They hope this renewed attention brings Macias to justice and ask anyone with information regarding the suspect to come forward.
A reward of up to $15,000 remains available for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.
Individuals with any information about the case can submit an anonymous tip to Atlanta Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477), online at www.StopCrimeAtl.org or by texting CSA and the tip to CRIME (274637).
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