The Rincon woman who caused the death of a man she struck with her vehicle while trying to flee from police was sentenced in Effingham County Superior Court last week.
According to court documents, on December 20, 2024, then-35-year-old Carla Berlin Roberson used her vehicle to attempt to strike a man near Winfield Drive and East Town Park Drive in Rincon, as she was trying to pin the man against his own vehicle.
Not long after that incident, Roberson then caused a six-vehicle crash on Highway 21 in Rincon when she was running from police.
Warrants were taken for Aggravated Assault and Cruelty to Children in the 3rd degree due to an 11-year-old child being present at the time of the incident and she was arrested the same day. Roberson was also cited for Criminal Trespass, Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device, and misdemeanor Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers in relation to the traffic offenses.
Most notably, however, the crash resulted in the fatality of Orlando Gonzalez, though the charge for the death of Gonzalez came later, as is the standard with many fatal crash investigations.
Court Proceedings
In February 2025, Judge Ronald Thompson denied bond for Roberson, citing a significant risk of flight from the jurisdiction and a danger to other persons in the community. Shortly thereafter, attorneys with the public defender’s office requested an evaluation to determine Roberson’s competency to stand trial.
In March 2025, Roberson was indicted on seven counts:
- Aggravated Assault – for driving her vehicle at a high rate of speed and attempting to hit a man to pin him against his own vehicle.
- Cruelty to Children (3rd degree) – committing these acts in the presence of a child
- Criminal Trespass – Striking a man’s vehicle with her vehicle, causing damage less than $500
- Obstruction of Officer (misdemeanor) – for fleeing from a Rincon police officer who was trying to conduct an investigation.
- Disregarding Traffic Control Device – running a red light at the intersection of Prosperity Drive and Georgia Highway 21.
- Homicide by Vehicle (1st degree) – for causing the death of Orlando Gonzalez when she was fleeing from a crime scene and ran a red light.
- The maximum sentence is 20 years in prison.
- Reckless Driving – for running the red light
In June 2025, Roberson retained Richmond Hill attorney Lloyd Murray. On June 11, Murray asked the court to reconsider the issue of bond, citing an absent risk to the community by Roberson, as well as her compliance with taking medications as prescribed and the need to assist her attorney in trial preparation. Thirteen days later, he filed a Motion to Change Plea to Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity.
Roberson remained behind bars and the case moved forward for calendar call before Roberson waived her right to a jury trial and requested a bench trial. The state objected to the request for a bench trial, citing Zigan v. State, and Judge Thompson ultimately denied Roberson’s request.
Scheduled for calendar call and jury trial, the case was continued at least two more times due to outstanding reports from defense experts and related matters.
On July 17, however, Roberson appeared in court to plead guilty to all seven charges.
Plea
Facing 35 years in prison plus up to 60 months for the misdemeanor offenses, Roberson changed her plea and. Judge Thompson sentenced her as follows:
- Aggravated Assault – 10 years to serve in prison followed by 10 years probation
- Cruelty to Children (3rd degree) – 12 months to serve (concurrent to Count 1)
- Criminal Trespass – 12 months to serve (concurrent to Count 1 &2)
- Obstruction of Officer (misdemeanor) – 12 months to serve (concurrent to Count 1,2,3)
Disregarding Traffic Control Device – 12 months to serve (concurrent to Count 1,2,3,4) - Homicide by Vehicle (1st degree) – 10 years to serve followed by 5 years probation (concurrent to Count 1)
- Reckless Driving – merged with Homicide by Vehicle sentence as a matter of law
TOTAL: 10 years to serve followed by 10 years probation
Roberson also received credit for time served behind bars dating back to December 20, 2024, she must undergo a Clinical Evaluation upon entering GDC custody, she must abide by a curfew while on probation, and must avoid alcohol, drugs, and those who consume either.
As of July 27, Roberson is still in the Effingham County Jail awaiting pick-up from the Georgia Department of Corrections.
