DeKalb County, Georgia — A 64-year-old man is facing multiple criminal charges in connection with the death of his estranged wife after prosecutors alleged he struck her with his pickup truck, dragged her body back inside her home and waited more than an hour before calling 911.
Nelson David Clements was indicted in connection with the June 21 death of 58-year-old Janice Frazier Clements, according to court records. The indictment includes two counts of first-degree vehicular homicide and one count each of reckless driving, hit-and-run resulting in death, stalking and concealing the death of another.
Clements’ attorney has maintained that the incident was an accident, while the victim’s relatives have disputed that account.
What Prosecutors Allege Happened in the Driveway
According to the indictment filed in DeKalb County, Janice Clements was holding the passenger-side door handle of her estranged husband’s Ram 1500 when he accelerated out of the driveway of her home in the 2800 block of Leisure Springs Circle.
Prosecutors allege that Clements knew his wife was holding onto the vehicle when he accelerated, ultimately running her over in the street.
The indictment also accuses him of failing to stop immediately, return to the collision scene or provide reasonable assistance after the incident.
Authorities have not publicly established the allegations as proven facts in court. The charges outline prosecutors’ claims about the circumstances surrounding Janice Clements’ death.
Police Responded to a Serious-Injury Call
DeKalb County police said officers responded to Janice Clements’ home at approximately 2:54 a.m. on June 21 after receiving a call about a serious injury.
First responders found a woman in her 50s, later identified as Janice Clements, and transported her to a local hospital. She was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the facility.
According to the allegations, Nelson Clements dragged his wife’s body back into the house after the incident and waited more than an hour before contacting emergency services.
Investigators also allege that he did not tell police or medical personnel that a pickup truck had struck her.
The indictment’s concealment charge alleges that his actions hindered investigators from determining whether Janice Clements had been unlawfully killed.
Family Disputes the Accident Explanation
Jackie Patterson, the attorney representing Nelson Clements, has argued that Janice Clements was responsible for grabbing onto his client’s vehicle. Patterson described her death as a “complete accident.”
The attorney also disputed allegations that Clements was intoxicated, saying police never asked him to take an alcohol test.
However, relatives of Janice Clements have challenged the defense’s account, pointing to footage they say was recorded by a home surveillance camera.
Several family members told that they believed Janice Clements was trying to prevent her estranged husband from driving because they suspected he had been drinking.
Relatives also said the footage appeared to show Nelson Clements walking back up the driveway toward the house. They argued that the time-stamped recording supported their claim that he waited more than an hour before calling 911.
The allegations about intoxication and the interpretation of the surveillance footage have not been established as facts through a court verdict.
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Stalking Allegation Adds to the Case
The indictment also includes a stalking charge related to an alleged encounter on June 20, the day before Janice Clements died.
Prosecutors allege that Nelson Clements contacted his wife at her home without her consent for the purpose of harassing and intimidating her. The stalking allegation forms a separate part of the case and adds to the charges arising from the fatal incident.
Together, the six charges address the alleged vehicle incident, the failure to stop and provide assistance, the reported contact with his estranged wife and the alleged concealment of her death.
Nelson Clements Arrested and Held Without Bond
Nelson Clements was arrested on October 23 and booked into the DeKalb County Jail, where he is being held without bond, according to the information provided in the case report.
It was not immediately clear when he was scheduled to appear in court for his arraignment. The case remains a criminal proceeding, and the allegations against Clements have yet to be resolved in court. His attorney’s position that the death was accidental contrasts with prosecutors’ allegations and the concerns raised by the victim’s relatives.
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