Hi all,

After reaching 200+ signatures, I went forth with sending a communication to the Forsyth County District Attorney. See below for the communication. I urge anyone else who feels strongly about this case to also reach out to the DA and local leaders to champion CHANGE. As a reminder, there is NO need to donate monetarily, as it presumably goes to the website and not anyone involved in advocating this cause. Please continue to share this petition in hopes that it will help bring attention to Kayla’s case, and to the larger issues related to employer accountability, nursing work conditions, and prosecutorial over-charging. 

Dear District Attorney Penn,

I am writing to you as a concerned citizen, fellow registered nurse, and former resident of Metro Atlanta, regarding the case of Kayla Marie Proctor, currently charged with second-degree vehicular homicide in Forsyth County. I wish to respectfully request that your office consider reducing the charge in light of the unique professional and systemic factors surrounding this tragedy.

According to publicly available reports, Ms. Proctor worked three consecutive 12-hour night shifts at a hospital prior to the crash on Highway 9 that tragically resulted in the fatality of an elderly woman. She informed investigators that she believed she fell asleep at the wheel. These facts point not to malice or recklessness, but to extreme exhaustion following a demanding series of shifts—something many nurses understand all too well. Below are numerous confounding factors that I believe need to be considered for fair and just proceedings of Ms. Proctor's case. 

1. Fatigue and shift work

It is widely acknowledged in both academic literature and the healthcare community that prolonged consecutive night shifts—especially 12-hour rotations—significantly elevate the risk of fatigue-related errors or incidents. In this case, the scheduling environment appears to have contributed materially to the outcome. As a 24-year-old new nurse, Kayla likely did not have seniority to choose her schedule and may have had to accept what was assigned—particularly given that the hourly wage for new nurses in Georgia is modest, often barely sufficient for self-sustainability, let alone repayment of student loans. This reflects the reality of a profession that is demanding, self-sacrificing, and emotionally taxing, yet too often undervalued and understaffed.

2. Intent and proportionality

The current charge of second-degree vehicular homicide implies a level of culpability that may not align with the circumstances described. Available facts indicate that this was an unintended, fatigue-related accident rather than an act of willful negligence or disregard for safety. In this context, the charge appears disproportionate and may constitute vertical overcharging, which risks obscuring the broader contributing conditions that led to and resulted in the 72-year old victim going into cardiac arrest upon reaching the hospital.

3. Systemic accountability

While individual accountability is an essential part of justice, the systemic factors that shape healthcare workers’ daily realities must also be acknowledged. Hospitals and healthcare institutions that require or permit consecutive 12-hour overnight shifts bear part of the responsibility for the exhaustion that can follow. Punishing an individual nurse without addressing these institutional pressures does not advance public safety—it merely penalizes those who already shoulder immense burdens in service to others.

This case has drawn significant attention among nurses nationwide. I have gathered over 200 signatures from nurses across the United States who believe that the current charges are unjust under these circumstances. Many have expressed that this case highlights the growing risks of fatigue in healthcare—a systemic issue that affects both staff and patient safety. In light of these mitigating factors, I respectfully urge your office to re-evaluate whether a lesser charge or alternative resolution would more appropriately reflect the nature of this incident. Doing so would uphold the principles of fairness and proportional justice, while acknowledging the systemic and human realities behind this tragedy.

I would also like to provide a link to the live petition, which includes comments from nurses—many of whom are from Metro Atlanta—who have voiced similar sentiments and firsthand experiences. If there is any positive outcome to come from this tragedy, it is to highlight the importance of engaging with nurses and other professionals in service roles to identify how such incidents can be prevented in the future. Moreover, it underscores how community leaders can advocate for improved working conditions, support workplace safety, and demonstrate that we value those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and commitment to fair and compassionate justice. The Change.org petition can be accessed using the QR code below.