A Bibb County jury delivered a measure of justice for the family of William “Will” Childs on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, convicting 61 year old Eric Head on all six counts stemming from a violent boating collision that claimed the young man’s life, caused serious injury to a young woman and left multiple others injured in the early morning hours of July 24, 2021. Today, as requested by the State, Head was sentenced to the maximum possible time for these charges, which is twenty years in prison.
The devastating impact killed 22-year-old Childs and left Averie Hopkins with life-altering injuries.” I am drunk,” Head admitted in a voicemail recorded moments after the crash, as his sinking boat carried him away from the carnage he had caused. “I am going to go to jail over this.” A Bibb County jury ensured he was right.
Head was convicted of two counts of Homicide by Vessel, two counts of Serious Injury by Vessel, Operating a Vessel Under the Influence (Less Safe) (Alcohol), and Reckless Operation of a Vessel. Jury selection began October 21, 2025, and concluded with the guilty verdicts on October 28, 2025.
“This verdict and sentence brings a measure of justice for Will Childs and his family, for Averie Hopkins, and for all those whose lives were forever changed by this defendant’s reckless and intoxicated operation of his vessel,” said Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney Anita Howard. “We pray this outcome provides some closure to the victims and serves as a stark reminder that operating any vehicle or vessel while impaired, whether on land or water, can have devastating and deadly consequences.”
The State’s evidence for this case was presented by Chief of Staff Kyle Owenby and Assistant District Attorney Breanna Foster. The Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Officers for their invaluable assistance in the prosecution of this case. In addition, we especially thank the other civilian witnesses who were willing to come forward to speak their truth for this case in regard to events that transpired on that day.
