Polk County’s state representative will be turning himself on a single charge of reckless conduct – likely on Friday – after the District Attorney’s office announced that he was facing an indictment from the grand jury in the part he played in the hit-and-run death of Eric Keais in September 2019.

Lester Tate of Akin & Tate, PC of Cartersville, is representing State Rep. Trey Kelley in the criminal matter he now faces, and said in a brief statement that he plans to present facts that will show his client’s innocence in the matter.

“We did receive notice from the DA’s office today that misdemeanor charges have been filed against Mr. Kelley, I have not yet had an opportunity to review the actual charges, but I am well aware of facts surrounding the case, and I believe strongly once those facts come to light that they will show that Mr. Kelley did nothing wrong in the situation. I look forward to our opportunity to present those facts in court.”

Arrangements are being made for Mr. Kelley to turn himself in without any further issue, Tate said.

No information has yet come in regarding representation for Ryan Dover, the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed Keais on September 11, 2019.

According to information previously reported, Keais was left on the side of the road in a ditch severely injured for more than an hour after Dover left the scene, drove down the road to park and call Kelley, who then sought help from Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome. An officer were sent to the area at the time, but were unaware that a person was injured. Ultimately Keais was found and lifesaving procedures were undertaken, but he died as a result of his injuries.

In a press release provided to Polk.Today less than an hour ago, the announcement was made that Dover and Kelley were both indicted by the grand jury for their part in the death of Keais.

Dover was charged with Felony Hit and Run and Reckless Conduct. Kelley faces the lone charge of reckless conduct.

The release stated that District Attorney, Jack Browning, who presented the case to the Grand Jury, stated that “over the course of two days, the Grand Jurors heard a substantial amount of testimonial and video evidence from law enforcement officers and the GBI medical examiner, as well as several witness interview recordings from those involved in, and with direct knowledge of, the incident.”