LOCUST GROVE, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Family members of a Henry County man, accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend, called the deaths a "tragic accident."
Henry County police said Brian Mack Feltman, 27, intentionally ran over his girlfriend, 27-year-old Meghann Pope, who was four months pregnant. It happened near the couple's Locust Grove home in the Heron Bay subdivision around 6:30 a.m. Sunday.
Police charged Feltman with felony murder and feticide. Henry County police spokesman Maj. Jason Bolton said physical evidence from the scene and witness statements lead police to believe Feltman hit Pope intentionally.
Feltman's family attended a first appearance hearing Monday morning and talked to CBS Atlanta News afterwards.
"He said it was an accident. He would never hurt her," said Angela Feltman, the suspect's mom.
Ryan Peterson, a friend, seconded that. "He loved her, he had a child by her - you think he'd call the police on himself if he was planning on doing it," Peterson asked.
Peterson and several others said Feltman didn't see Pope as she walked along a poorly-lit road.
"You could see how dark this curve is," Peterson said. "They've been complaining about this for seven years."
"We just feel that prayers and God is the only thing that's going to see all of us through this, the Pope family and the Feltman family," added Rene Carol, the suspect's aunt.
Feltman is being held in the Henry County Jail.
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Brian Mack Feltman and Meghann Pope
Brian Mack Feltman
Roadside memorial
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