HALL COUNTY, Ga. – A motorcyclist was injured when she was struck by a pickup truck driven by Adrian Surowiecki of Helen Sunday.

According to the Georgia State Patrol accident report, Surowiecki, 36, was attempting to make a left turn onto Jaemor Farm Road from Ga. 365 southbound when he struck the northbound motorcycle driven by Audrey Courson, 43, of Lawrenceville.

The motorcycle overturned on impact and came to rest in the northbound lane.

Surowiecki and the three passengers in his truck were uninjured. He was charged with failure to yield the right of way.

Courson was wearing a helmet, according to Hedden and the extent of her injuries is unknown at this time.

The incident closed the northbound lane for more than an hour.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

TOCCOA, Ga. – A Dahlonega man was killed and his brother-in-law faces charges following a Saturday morning crash on Ga. 17/365.

Sr. Trooper John Crawford of the Georgia State Patrol Post 7 in Toccoa reported that Anwar Rathore, 20, of Dahlonega was driving a Mercedes-Benz 300D south on Ga. 17/365 in the left turn lane at Jeanette Jamieson Intersection when he turned in front of an oncoming vehicle.

Rathore’s vehicle was struck in the passenger side by a northbound Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by Ruth Jimenz Rhodes, 67, of Crawfordville.

The wreck claimed the life of John Michael Wayne Vega, 28, also of Dahlonega who was a front seat passenger in the Mercedes driven by Rathore, his brother-in-law.

Rathore suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.

Rhodes also suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Stephens County Hospital in Toccoa.

Crawford said the Georgia Department of Public Safety Troop B Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is investigating the crash and charges are pending against Rathore.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — One woman was killed and another injured in a traffic accident on Ga. Hwy. 400 at Lumpkin County Parkway and Whelchel Road in Lumpkin County at approximately 1:25 p.m. today.

According to a report from the Georgia State Patrol, a Toyota Prius driven by Ruiz Anne Rozell, 80, of Fairbanks, Ak. was traveling west and attempting to cross the northbound lanes of Ga. 400 from Lumpkin County Parkway. After stopping at the stop sign, the Toyota failed to yield to a Chevy Cavalier driven by Allurora Bradley, 22 of Dahlonega, traveling north on Ga. 400 in the left travel lane. The front of the Chevrolet struck the left side door of the Toyota and both vehicle came to rest in the crossover.

Ms. Rozell died at the scene. Ms. Bradley was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. She was treated and released  a short time later.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.  There were no other occupants in either vehicle.

One southbound lane of SR 400 was shut down for about 1 ½ hours.  There was minimal effect on the southbound traffic and no effect on the northbound traffic on SR 400.

Alcohol and drugs are not suspected on either driver.

No charges are anticipated in this crash.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at www.fetchyournews.com

DAHLONEGA, Ga. –– Benjamin Jacob Bruner, 20, of Athens was seriously injured Tuesday when the Suzuki motorcycle he was riding struck the rear end of a Dodge Dakota that was backing out of a private driveway on Ben Higgins Road.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, witnesses said the Dodge Dakota, driven by 63-year-old James Phillip Holbrook backed directly into Bruner’s path and was struck in the right rear.

Holbrook, was not injured but was charged with DUI, failure to yield when entering or crossing a roadway, improper backing, driving under the influence and serious injury by vehicle.

Bruner, was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville by Lumpkin County EMS for suspected serious injuries sustained in the crash.

Holbrook was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. Bruner was wearing a motorcycle helmet at the time of the crash.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Georgia State Patrol reported a fatal accident Thursday at the intersection of State Road 11 near Boggs Creek in Lumpkin County.

According to the report, a 2012 Harley Davidson motorcycle, driven by 62 year old Donald Gregory Kurfiss from Groveland, Florida, was traveling south on SR 11 approximately south of Hester’s Gap Road.  The motorcycle was traveling too fast to safely negotiate the sharp, left hand, downhill curve.  The motorcycle crossed the center line and the left northbound lane of SR 11 while rotating clockwise.

According to a witness, the motorcycle straightened up for a brief time and suddenly rotated counter clockwise.  The motorcycle overturned onto its left side while sliding into the right northbound lane.  The right side of the motorcycle and the driver of the motorcycle struck the front of a 2016 Honda Accord, which was traveling north on SR 11 in the right lane.  The Honda Accord was driven by Vinai Wu, a 51 year old male from Buford.

Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be a factor in this crash.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

ATLANTA—Georgia State Troopers are gearing up for the July Fourth holiday travel period. The holiday period begins at 6 p.m. today (July 3) and lasts for 30 hours, ending at 11:59 p.m. on July Fourth.

Last year, the holiday period was 102 hours long. The Georgia State Patrol investigated 645 traffic crashes that resulted in 323 injuries, and nine fatalities. Additionally, troopers issued 9,983 citations, 14,767 warnings, and made 288 DUI arrests.

“During the travel period, troopers will be on high visibility patrols watching for those who are driving impaired or distracted, not wearing seat belts, and other traffic violations that could potentially cause a traffic crash,” said Colonel Mark W. McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. “Also, please keep in mind as you travel, that beginning July 1, Georgia law will prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving,” he added.

“During this time of year, troopers report that impaired driving is one of the leading contributing factors in a majority of the fatal traffic crashes that they investigate,” Colonel McDonough said. During the July Fourth holiday period, the Georgia State Patrol will be participating in the Operation Zero Tolerance campaign against impaired drivers, where state troopers will be working alongside sheriff’s deputies and police officers to apprehend impaired drivers.

The holiday traffic count will be updated throughout the holiday period on the Georgia Department of Public Safety Twitter page: https://twitter.com/ga_dps.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

OAKWOOD, Ga. — A 21-year-old Dahlonega man faces a charge of vehicular homicide following a single-vehicle accident that claimed the life of a passenger in his 2002 Nissan Xterra Friday morning.

Paul Stevens was driving south on I-985 near the Plainview Road overpass when he lost control of his vehicle, which then left the roadway, went into the woods and struck a cement block structure before slamming into a tree, according to a Georgia State Patrol press release.

The accident killed 19-year-old Dylan Tuthill, also of Dahlonega, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Stevens told troopers he fell asleep at the wheel.

PRESS RELEASE

LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — A Dahlonega man was killed in a single-vehicle accident yesterday (Nov. 25) on SR 60 near Anderson Drive.

According to the Georgia State Patrol accident report, Troopers from the Cumming Post were dispatched to the accident at approximately 5:45 a.m. where a 2007 Dodge Dakota pickup driven by 57-year-old Robert Lee Kukua, of Dahlonega, was traveling south on SR 60 Business.

The Dakota traveled off the road to the left onto the east shoulder. It then struck an embankment, overturned, and struck a tree. Mr. Kukua was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was the only occupant in the vehicle.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

ATLANTA — The Georgia State Patrol is reminding motorists to practice safe driving habits as they travel throughout the state this Labor Day weekend.

“Troopers and Motor Carrier Officers will be on patrol in full force for the upcoming 78-hour Labor Day holiday travel period this weekend,” said Colonel Mark W. McDonough, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. “They will focus their attention on speeders, unrestrained occupants, as well as distracted and impaired drivers,” he added. The patrols will take place from 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30, to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2.

Last year, troopers investigated 490 crashes, which resulted in 296 injuries. Eight of those were fatal crashes, killing eight people. In addition to crash investigations, troopers and motor carrier officers wrote 9,008 citations; 12,180 warnings; and arrested 332 motorists for driving under the influence.

“Motorists should expect heavier traffic this weekend, as most people use the extended weekend to take their final family trips before the summer ends,” said Colonel McDonough.
Here are some travel tips to keep in mind this holiday weekend:

Obey the posted speed limit. When you exceed the speed limit, you reduce the amount of available time needed to avoid a traffic crash.

Do not drive impaired. Designate a sober driver, call a taxi, rideshare service, friend, or family member to help you get home safely.

Buckle Up. Make sure everyone in the vehicle wears a seat belt and that children are properly restrained in the appropriate child safety seats. Georgia law requires children under the age of eight to be in either a car seat or booster seat suitable for their age, weight, and height.

Pay attention to the road. Limit your distractions, and never use electronic devices to text or surf the web while driving. The Hands-Free Georgia Act prohibits all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving.

Do not leave children and pets in hot cars. Regularly check the back seat and back floor area for children and animals, each time you exit your vehicle.

Stay alert of your surroundings and show common courtesy to other motorists and pedestrians on the roads.

Throughout the holiday period, the traffic fatality count is available on the Georgia Department of Public Safety Twitter page: https://twitter.com/ga.dps.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

DAHLONEGA, Ga. — A 22-year-old Dahlonega woman is charged with DUI, first degree vehicular homicide and reckless driving following a single-vehicle crash Sunday on Hightower Road just south of Miles Berry Road that killed a passenger in her car.

Georgia State Patrol (GSP) reports that Lindsey C. LeBarron was driving a 2012 GMC Canyon when the vehicle traveled off the east side of road and hit a utility pole, killing Jason M. Caldwell, 40, of Dahlonega. GSP reports that LeBarron continued to drive half a mile before stopping.

LeBarron was found in the driver’s seat with no apparent injuries. She is charged with first-degree homicide by vehicle, DUI, reckless driving, failing to maintain lane and not wearing a seat belt.

Additional charges are pending. The GSP Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is conducting a follow-up investigation.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach.If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

PRESS RELEASE

ATLANTA – Traffic crashes across Georgia during the Labor Day holiday travel period resulted in nine traffic deaths, with eight being worked by State Troopers. This year, the holiday travel period was 78-hours long. It began at 6 p.m. on Fri., Aug. 30, and ended at 11:59 p.m. on Mon., Sept. 2.

Statewide, Georgia State Troopers investigated 523 traffic crashes that resulted in 288 injuries and eight fatalities. In addition to the traffic crash investigations, 244 people were arrested for driving under the influence, while 5,897 citations and 7,320 warnings were issued.

Gordon County Sheriff’s Office reported one traffic death during the holiday period.

There were no fatalities reported in Lumpkin County.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com