Father and son killed in West Rome wreck

A father and son died in a two-vehicle wreck just after 8 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of West Butler Street and Redmond Circle.

Deputy Coroner John Hamilton identified the victims as 61-year-old Pompilio Cornejo and his son 18-year-old

Jose Cornejo.

Hamilton said that Pompilio Cornejo, in a 2016 Acadia, pulled out of West Butler Street, perhaps no more than 100 yards from his home, and was struck by a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 20-year-old Sameer Musleh.

A witness to the wreck told police that Musleh was traveling at a very high rate of speed when he collided with the left front quarterpanel of the Cornejo vehicle, as they attempted to make a turn.

The elder Cornejo was pronounced dead on the scene while his son passed away about 35 minutes later in a local hospital.

Rome police are conducting a follow-up investigation to determine whether any charges will be filed.

In a Monday statement, Rome High School officials said that Jose Cornejo was a senior at the school and counselors, along with additional system representatives, will be available on campus each day this week to assist students.