VALDOSTA —
A traffic accident on Rocky Ford Road off U.S. 84 Friday resulted in the destruction of two vehicles, injuries to two drivers and the death of a dog.
The accident involved a red Honda Del Sol with Georgia plates, a gray Chevrolet pickup truck with a Florida plate in front and a Georgia plate in back and a blue semi tractor-trailer.
Just after 3 p.m., the pickup truck, which was reportedly swerving in and out of traffic lanes and exceeding speeds of 70 miles per hour, rapidly approached the left side of a semi, said Kevin Weiland of Chicago, Ill., the driver of the semi.
Weiland saw the truck in his spot mirror and swerved to the right to avoid an impact, he said. The semi was left with a small scratch on its left front fender, but the truck struck the rear of the Del Sol.
“It happened that fast,” Weiland said, snapping his fingers.
Weiland brought his semi to a stop after about 200 feet, he said, but the car and truck continued moving forward
The truck rolled over and came to a stop on its roof 120 yards in front of the semi.
The Del Sol continued forward, destroying two mailboxes, and came to a stop 240 yards in front of the truck.
The Del Sol was going the speed limit, Weiland said.
The Georgia State Patrol responded to the accident, and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office provided support directing traffic.
A brown dog was also killed in the incident. Witnesses claim the dog was in the truck with the driver, but could not confirm whether it was in the bed or in the cab.
A witness not wishing to be named followed the truck for about five minutes before the accident, he said.
He was on the phone with his place of business in Valdosta, and asked his co-workers to dial 911 and report a drunk driver.
“He was all over the road, on both sides,” the witness said. “He ran over the shoulder past Kinderlou.”
The drivers of the truck and the car were taken from the scene in ambulances, according to witnesses. Attempts were made to contact the GSP, but troopers could not be reached as of press time to confirm the status of the victims.
Local News
Related Photos
-
A Honda Del Sol was crushed in a two-vehicle accident on U.S. 84 Friday afternoon. The driver was rushed to South Georgia Medical Center. The cause of the incident is still under investigation. Brandon Powers /VDT
-
An accident involving two vehicles, including this pickup truck, occurred Friday afternoon on U.S. 84 eastbound near Rocky Ford Road. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Brandon Powers /VDT
Discussion
Two vehicles totaled, drivers injured in traffic accident
- Local News
-
-
Echols deputies seize a half-million in pot
A public indecency call late Friday afternoon led to the seizure of a marijuana grow house, 38 mature plants, and the arrest of an Echols County man, according to the Echols County Sheriff’s Office.
-
Weekend Update: Morven Peach Festival
News reporter Caitlin Barker speaks to representatives Sandy Rentz and Dawana Nunnally from the Morven Peach Committee, about the Peach Festival taking place this Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The band Trailer of Tears will play from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., followed by a parade taking place at 2 p.m.
-
Just Peachy
Peach tarts, peach ice cream, a peach parade and the Peach Queen — it’s time for the 26th Annual Morven Peach Festival.
-
Boys and Girls Club prepares for smooth transition
When longtime Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta Chief Professional Officer Robert Soper officially retires on June 1, his successor will already be in place, ready to take the reins of the organization.
-
Lowndes Middle student charged in school fire
An 11-year-old has been charged with arson after reportedly starting a fire in a Lowndes Middle School restroom on a dare earlier this week, according to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office Thursday.
-
Kingston taps Hahira teen for Air Force Academy
Georgia Congressman Jack Kingston announced Thursday a Valwood student has received an appointment to a United States Service Academy.
-
VPD offers reward for leads on beauty store murder
The Valdosta Police Department has offered to exchange $2,500 for a name or any other information that leads to the arrest of the persons responsible for the murder and robbery that took place at a beauty shop last Friday night.
-
Life Flights
Perhaps nothing is as indicative of the potential impact of AirLife Georgia’s new base at Valdosta Regional Airport than this example: At the ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony Wednesday, the local crew on duty was absent, having been called out to Jasper County in Florida to transport a patient to South Georgia Medical Center.
-
Authority increases Smith physicians’ SGMC access
In an effort to continue merging services and facilities between Smith Northview Hospital and South Georgia Medical Center, it was announced Wednesday that physicians practicing at Smith now have increased access to SGMC.
-
DOD announces civilian furlough days
After weeks of debate and number-crunching, the Defense Department announced plans Tuesday to furlough about 680,000 of its civilian employees for 11 days through the end of this fiscal year, allowing only limited exceptions for the military to avoid or reduce the unpaid days off.
- More Local News Headlines
-
