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Dead man found off Piper Road
NCSO seeking suspects
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Amber Pittman
Updated: Oct 2, 2010, 9:39 PM
Published: Oct 1, 2010, 5:22 PM

Deputies from the Newton County’s Sheriff’s Office are searching for leads to find the killer of an Atlanta man who was found dumped in the woods off Piper Road Wednesday evening.

Wendell Ronard Barber, 29, was found around 6:45 p.m. by a hunter who then called 911. According to NCSO Public Information Officer Lt. Tyrone Oliver, investigators believe that Barber had been dead for around five days when he was found. His body was transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the cause of his death is currently being withheld.

The investigation is still ongoing and the NCSO is asking that anyone who may recall any unusual activity in the area of Piper Road last week or has any information about this case contact them at (678) 622-1412. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the tip line at (678) 625-5007 or go online to www.newtonsheriffga.org.

April 3 crash kills two young adults, injures third
Newton County Sheriff Car---WEB
Kate Verity
Published: Apr 4, 2025, 10:29 PM

NEWTON COUNTY — Around 10 a.m. on Thursday, a head-on collision on Highway 212 left two young adults dead and a third hospitalized.

Joe Navarro, 21, was driving the vehicle and Breanna Smith, 18, was in the passenger seat. Katie New, 20, sat between them.

According to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle lost control while going around a curve and crossed the centerline, where it collided head-on with a box truck. The crash report shows that their vehicle traveled another hundred feet after impact before coming to a stop. It spun, ended up facing the opposite direction on the shoulder of the opposite lane.

Navarro and Smith were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. New was airlifted to Grady Hospital. Her current condition is not known. 

Navarro, Smith and New were not believed to be wearing seatbelts when the collision occurred.

The driver of the box truck was not reported to have suffered any injuries.

This is an ongoing story. The News will post updates as they are made available.