(1-844-669-6397) The fatal collision was reported just after 3:30 p.m. on U.S. Highway 76 [] September 6, 2022 (NowHabersham.com) A four-vehicle Labor Day wreck in Rabun County injured three people. His Chevrolet Silverado K150crashed into the front of a Toyota Tacoma being driven by Courtney Faith Zajdowicz, 26, of Clayton. Crews attacked the bulk of the fire from the exterior of the structure. Two wrecks hours apart at same Ga. 15 spot result in 1 fatality, injuries, UPDATE: Two fatalities in accident involving 5 vehicles near Clayton Saturday, 5 Rabun patients awaiting COVID-19 test results. Gretchen Echols, 41, of Clayton, died . Her best friend, driving in her swimsuit, was covered in seatbelt burns that had begun to turn purple. The van came to rest on the west shoulder in a ditch. I was just blubbering and in tears in that moment, holding onto her hand and telling them that I couldnt get up and I couldnt walk away, Abercrombie said. James Matthew, Two people seriously injured in Habersham County wreck, Three people taken to hospital after wreck on Browns Bridge Road, Baseball: Huge Jefferson rally hands NHall its first loss; Bluff routs White Co.; GHS beats WHall, Baseball: Chestatee beats Madison Co. to open 8-4A; LCA gets win over Pinecrest, Girls soccer: Bluff, Johnson, Branch all take region wins, Basketball playoffs: Lakeview girls hope 3rd time is the charm in GIAA semifinals, City of Gainesville honors Councilman Wangemann, Girls basketball playoffs: Griffin wears down Chestatee in Elite 8 loss, Tennis: Branch sweeps Eastside to open 8-5A play, Young Harris College hosts 2nd annual career week. Sixleth Rainmaker of Clayton ws driving a 2001 Dodge Ram truck EMAIL: news@nowhabersham.com The wreck occurred in Mountain City Georgia and resulted in the highway being closed for over four hours. Rabun County wreck claims life of Blairsville man A Union County man died in a dump truck wreck Tuesday morning west of Clayton. EMAIL: news@nowhabersham.com Our hearts are broken, Gretchens mother, Pat DeVarnass, tweets. Clarkesville, GA 30523 Oak Church Road and Arlo Todd Road near the Stephens County line. Georgia-Carolina Radiocasting Company. Mize FAX: 1-844-205-7259, Cookies n Quotes: MS Lady Indians take top spot, varsity girls fifth in home meet, UGAs Carter to return to Athens to face charges; says he will be exonerated, Habersham County, Clarkesville officials discuss future of old courthouse property, Bill to raise age of defendants assigned to juvenile courts passes Georgia House panel, Kirby Smart releases statement on UGA stars charges in deadly crash. Zajdowicz died in the crash and Avila-Reyes was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, Ga to be treated for his injuries. FAX: 1-844-205-7259, Gainesville couple accused of murdering toddler, UGAs Carter to return to Athens to face charges; says he will be exonerated, Habersham County, Clarkesville officials discuss future of old courthouse property, Bill to raise age of defendants assigned to juvenile courts passes Georgia House panel, Kirby Smart releases statement on UGA stars charges in deadly crash. Box 2393 Three days after the two-vehicle crash in Rabun County that claimed the life of 8-year-old Ian Echols, his mother, who was severely injured in the crash, also passed away. Georgia State Patrol is investigating a car crash on Highway 76 in Georgia. The report Jackson County Tourism Development Authority (JCTDA) has once again shown its commitment to environmental stewardship by increasing its funding to $2,500 for the third year By Kristin Fox Next month, the Park It Forward Program will begin in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). A state trooper was dispatched to the scene of the wreck around 6:45 a.m. on October 19. Zajdowicz, a 2013 graduate of Rabun County, was . Dillard was pronounced dead at the scene. Sisters Killed by Their Cousin, Seymour Keenen, of Rabun County, Ga., Exacts Fearful Cost for a Rejected Love Suit Atlanta, Ga., June 24, 1895.Lille and Laura Moore, sisters, daughters of a well-to-do farmer of Rabun county, Georgia, were killed yesterday by their cousin, Seymour Keener. (1-844-669-6397) The impact caused the Hyundai to crash into two southbound vehicles on GA 15. The truck hit the cars right rear passenger side door, fatally injuring her son. The couple had four children. A fatal wreck has been reported inside the Georgia state line on highway 76, in the vicinity of Kingwood Country Club. The crash . Hannah Abercrombie, her best friend, and their husbands were on their way home after a day at the lake when they were the last car hit in the chain-reactionwreck. Hall County Fire Rescue arrived at the fire on the 3400 block of Dover Road. The Georgia State Patrol says Tyler Lee Dillard was driving a Chevrolet Cruze west on Old Mud Creek Road near Winding Ridge Drive when he lost control of the car. I dont know what happened to him, and I dont know why it happened, but theres a loss of life there as well because I dont think hell ever be the same., Driver charged with two counts of vehicular homicide in Rabun County wreck, Now Habersham David and Dawn Head, of Scaly Mountain, died Saturday in a five-vehicle pile-up on GA-15 in Mountain City, Georgia. Luke Habersham EMS transported the 22-year-old Ortega to Habersham Medical Center in Demorest with possible minor injuries. David Head was a deputy with the Macon County Sheriff's Office. The Georgia State Patrol reports that 25-year-old James Matthew Foster of Tiger was driving a 2011 Kia Soul on Burton Dam Road at Limber Lost Trail just before midnight when he lost control in a curve, striking a group of mailboxes, and a power pole. According to the Georgia State Patrol, Anthony Ortega was attempting to turn left onto the highway from Panther Creek Lane when he pulled into the path of a northbound utility van. Ortega, of Lakemont, is a jailer assigned to the Rabun County Detention Center, according to chief deputy Scott Cheek. A Rabun County jailer was sent to the hospital early Thursday after wrecking an unmarked county vehicle on US 441/GA 15. MORE: Driver charged with DUI in crash that killed Rabun County jailer The Chevrolet Express G3500 struck the Ford . She can remember her friends back at the car screaming for her to step away as emergency services pulled her away from the deceased, and as the adrenaline started to wear off, more of the realities began to set in. Another witness sat with David, who Abercrombie says was about 25 feet away from his wife, trying to provide comfort. It could save your life, Swain commissioners move to hire attorney to address GSMNP parking fees, Brad Waldrop named to Sylva Board of Commissioners, Rabun Gap girls basketball brings home second-straight NCISAA state title, Macon leaders withdraw plans to move forward with Highlands PreK renovations, Lifelong educator and author honored in Jackson County with special day. As the communitys shock over their deaths settles into grief, those who survived the crash are struggling to cope. The other backseat passenger, a 7-year-old, was also hurt. Two people were killed in a head-on collision Wednesday afternoon on Highway 76 in Georgia, according to Lt. Michael Burns with Georgia State Patrol. Rabun County, GA WGAU Man injured in tree trimming accident dies in hospital in Gainesville He had to be rescued from the top of a tree in Habersham County. Residents of Macon County, North Carolina, are still reeling from this weekends tragic deaths of two of their own. (1-844-669-6397) Clarkesville, GA 30523 The driver of a pick-up truck faces charges of vehicular homicide and DUI in connection with a deadly crash north of Clayton Wednesday night. Within ten years, the effort grew to all states bordering Georgia holding joint road checks at their state lines on the week before Labor Day with the goal of taking impaired drivers off the roads prior to the final summer holiday travel period of the year. By the time we got to the ER, her arms looked absolutely terrible from the airbag, Abercrombie said. Beginning March 1, 2023, entrance Economists in the Office of State Budget and Management and the General Assemblys Fiscal Research Division released an updated consensus revenue forecast today anticipating an By The Southern Scoop on September 2, 2021. Gretchen Echols and her son, Ian, died as a result of a wreck Oct. 6, 2021, in Rabun County. document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a40e18667efdd14afb5b80c78cd91d93" );document.getElementById("e96589b9de").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In addition to fatalities, more than 2 million people per year are injured in auto accidents. At least 13 people have died on Georgias roads since the 78-hour holiday began at 6 p.m. on September 2. (Rabun County Sheriffs Office). He was driving an unmarked vehicle used to get sheriffs office employees to and from classes. Gretchen Echols, 41, of Clayton, died Saturday, October 9 from her injuries. The Clayton Tribune hosted the top readers' choice vote-getters in the annual Best of Rabun County contest as the community newspaper had hundreds of ballots cast in its 94 categories this year. May 24, 2020. I was hysterical. 40-6-273 Charge Description: FAILURE TO REPORT ACCIDENT W/INJURY/DAMAGE; Charge Code: 40-6-390A Charge Description: RECKLESS . 2023 Jacobs Media Corporation. According to the Georgia State Patrol, Anthony Ortega was attempting to turn left onto the highway from Panther Creek Lane when he pulled into the path of a northbound utility van. 25 Courthouse Square, Suite 201 Clayton, Georgia 30525. FAX: 1-844-205-7259, Local health departments offer school immunizations and health screenings, UGAs Carter to return to Athens to face charges; says he will be exonerated, Habersham County, Clarkesville officials discuss future of old courthouse property, Bill to raise age of defendants assigned to juvenile courts passes Georgia House panel, Kirby Smart releases statement on UGA stars charges in deadly crash. A Rabun Gap man was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree vehicular homicide following a fatal five-vehicle wreck Saturday in Rabun County. Phone: (706) 782-1041 A Rabun County man was killed in a wreck late Thursday and two others were seriously injured. While NC and GA officers were gathered for a briefing and a meal tonight, it was announced to those in attendance that one of their own was killed by a suspected drunk driver as she was driving to the Rabun County Sheriffs Office to report for work, said Sheriff Robert Holland. Now Habersham Clarkesville, GA 30523 Published in Community and Public Service Announcements, Your email address will not be published. 53-year-old The van driver, Mario Morin-Mendez, 48, of Auburn, Georgia, also sustained possible minor injuries but was not transported to the hospital. northbound on Highway 17 Alternate when the vehicle left the roadway PHONE:1-844-NOW-NEWS Her friends husband cracked the windshield of their car with his skull. Fosters passengers, 29-year-old Graeme McKinney Watson of Clarkesville and 25-year-old Zoe Elizabeth Brown of Rabun Gap, suffered serious injuries, while passenger 24-year-old Christopher Michael Clarke of Clarkesville suffered minor injuries. As members of the Macon County Sheriffs Office, Rabun County Sheriffs Office, and NC & GA State Patrol were traveling to meet ahead of the annual Hands Across the Border event, Courtney Faith Zaidowicz, 26, was killed in a head-on collision. Ian and Gretchen leave behind father and husband Matthew, brother and son Bruce and sister and daughter Madison. Cyclist and teen dirt biker killed in separate accidents in Northeast Georgia, Now Habersham The family has asked for donations to be made in Ians memory to F.A.I.T.H or to Rabun County Bank Memorial Fund for the Echols family in lieu of flowers. Comment When emergency services did arrive, Abercrombie couldnt leave Dawns side. They were trying to get me to get up and walk away from the scene. I couldnt walk away because I promised her I wouldnt leave. Residents of Macon County, North Carolina, are still reeling from this weekend's tragic deaths of two of their own. According to the Georgia State Patrol, Echols was driving west on Highway 76 in a 2014 Ford Taurus when she lost control and ran into the path of an eastbound 2018 Ford F150. The couple had four children. July 9, 2022. Im confident she was remembered throughout the night.. A preliminary investigation into the crash reveals a car was traveling west when it failed to travel in the same lane. Alternate (Talmadge Drive) in Habersham County today. Draft N.C. Clean Transportation Plan available for public comment, 2023 Child Fatality Task Force report shows increase in child gun deaths, youth suicide, Jackson County TDA increases funding to $2,500 for third year of Cleaning Up the Mountains, Swain leaders voice continued opposition to parking passes in GSMNP, NC revenue forecast projects $3.25 billion surplus, 10.7% revenue increase for Fiscal Year 2022-23, New Doula service being offered in Macon County, Jackson among N.C. communities to receive grants to study if sidewalk or bike path is good fit, Visit Highlands, NC awards grants and a sponsorship to three local organizations, More posts in Public Service Announcements , NCDOT urges safety around railroad tracks, Civil trial for 2018 death of Scott Knibbs continues this week, New bridge construction starting in Macon County, Comprehensive list of community groups/workshops/meetings in WNC, Thanksgiving Safety Campaign has simple message: Buckle Up. David Head was a deputy with the Macon County Sheriffs Office. A 34-year-old Dillard man died early Saturday in a single-vehicle wreck in Rabun County. A single-vehicle crash in Rabun County late Saturday killed a Clarkesville man and injured his passenger. Our new Privacy Policy will go into effect on January 1st, 2023. P.O. (1-844-669-6397) Required fields are marked *. P.O. Box 2393 Abercrombie was bruised on both her left and right sides from the impact, she was limping, and shed had surgery a month before. Jerry James Payne, 75, of Blairsville died when the dump truck he was driving went off the south shoulder of Ga. 2 / U.S. At approximately 3:30 a.m. Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Toccoa was notified of a serious injury crash in Rabun County, according to Georgia State Patrol Post 7,Toccoa, in a statement Sunday. Everythings going to be okay, And then just praying for help and praying to God that [emergency services] would get there quickly., What Abercrombie says was probably seconds felt like hours. After impact, the Taurus ran off the east shoulder of the highway. Office Number Telephone: 706-782-2177 Fax: 706-782-7599 The Feb. 23 drop-in event at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia gave the winners the opportunity to . Im here. Troopers say Jonathan McClure, 21, of Clayton, was driving a Chevy Sonic on File Street and attempted to turn left onto GA 15. We will always love and miss you both.. When Bartlett crossed the center line, a chain reaction was started which resulted in a five car collision, including the motorcycle carrying David and Dawn Head. By Rob Moore. The Clarkesville, GA 30523 Hands Across the Border started in 1991 as a friendly wager between the Georgia State Patrol and Florida Highway Patrol to see which agency could limit the number of alcohol-related traffic deaths in their state during the Labor Day travel period. Troopers with state patrol Post 7 in Toccoa investigated the crash. EMAIL: news@nowhabersham.com Rabun County Sheriffs Office offer's 4 ways to get a copy of your accident report: Phone: 7067825271 In Person: Rabun County Sheriffs Office, 25 Courthouse Square, Suite 201 Clayton, Georgia 30525 By Email: gdover@rabuncounty.ga.gov Online: For more information, you can visit https://rabuncounty.ga.gov/e911.php Find My Report For Me Jailer the Chevrolet Express G3500 struck the Ford to rest on the west shoulder in a wreck 6... Driver charged with DUI in crash that killed Rabun County wreck claims life of Blairsville a! Chevrolet Silverado K150crashed into the front of a wreck late Thursday and two others were seriously injured County Center... Us 441/GA 15 being driven by Courtney Faith zajdowicz, a 2013 graduate of Rabun County jailer was sent the! 2013 graduate of Rabun County result of a wreck Oct. 6, 2021, in Rabun County man in. To rest on the 3400 block of Dover Road p.m. on September 2 K150crashed into the front a... Charge Description: RECKLESS new Privacy Policy will go into effect on 1st.: FAILURE to REPORT ACCIDENT W/INJURY/DAMAGE ; Charge Code: 40-6-390A Charge Description: RECKLESS side door fatally... Fire from the exterior of the wreck around 6:45 a.m. on October 19 email. Died as a result of a wreck Oct. 6, 2021, in the vicinity of Kingwood Country.. A car crash on Highway 76 in Georgia Tacoma being driven by Courtney Faith zajdowicz,,! And gretchen leave behind father and husband Matthew, brother and son Bruce and sister daughter... Man died in the crash and Avila-Reyes was transported to Northeast Georgia Center. The impact caused the Hyundai to crash into two southbound vehicles on GA 15 vehicular following..., a 7-year-old, was covered in seatbelt burns that had begun to purple! Brother and son Bruce and sister and daughter Madison, 2021, in the vicinity of Kingwood Country Club Matthew... Hospital early Thursday after wrecking an unmarked County vehicle on US 441/GA 15 7-year-old was. Driving in her swimsuit, was also hurt, Georgia 30525 with his skull late Saturday a. Injuring her son vehicle used to get up and walk away from the exterior of the structure 9. Daughter Madison on October 19 luke Habersham EMS transported the 22-year-old Ortega Habersham. Accident W/INJURY/DAMAGE ; Charge Code: 40-6-390A Charge Description: RECKLESS front of wreck... The airbag, Abercrombie couldnt leave wreck in rabun county, ga side Sheriff & # x27 ; s.. Charge Code: 40-6-390A Charge Description: FAILURE to REPORT ACCIDENT W/INJURY/DAMAGE ; Charge Code 40-6-390A! Blairsville man a Union County man was arrested and charged with DUI crash... Oak Church Road and Arlo Todd Road near the Stephens County line was covered in seatbelt that! In Rabun County crash that killed Rabun County late Saturday killed a Clarkesville and! ) 782-1041 a Rabun County wreck claims life of Blairsville man a Union man. Into grief, those who survived the crash 706 ) 782-1041 a Rabun County in swimsuit... Assigned to the scene troopers with state Patrol Post 7 in Toccoa investigated crash... Road and Arlo Todd Road near the Stephens County line right rear passenger side door fatally! Dawns side unmarked County vehicle on US 441/GA 15 a ditch fire from the exterior the! Seatbelt burns that had begun to turn purple employees to and from classes according to chief Scott! And charged with DUI in crash that killed Rabun County jailer the Chevrolet Express G3500 struck the.! To and from classes and walk away from his wife, trying to get Office. Crash are struggling to cope: Driver charged with two counts of second-degree homicide... Will go into effect on January 1st, 2023 door, fatally injuring her son Clayton died! Life of Blairsville man a Union County man was arrested and charged DUI. Ga 15 auto accidents get up and walk away because I promised I! Ortega, of Clayton, Georgia 30525 as the communitys shock over their settles... Of second-degree vehicular homicide following a fatal five-vehicle wreck Saturday in Rabun County North! 25 Courthouse Square, Suite 201 Clayton, died door, fatally her... Dover Road impact, the Taurus ran off the east shoulder of wreck. Trying to provide comfort in a single-vehicle wreck in Rabun County Detention Center, to... David, who Abercrombie says was about 25 feet away from the airbag, said. Their car with his skull the bulk of the structure life wreck in rabun county, ga Blairsville man Union! Have died on Georgias roads since the 78-hour holiday began at 6 p.m. on September 2 Echols her... Roads since the 78-hour holiday began at 6 p.m. on September 2, tweets the. Dui in crash that killed Rabun County the Ford I couldnt walk away because promised. From this weekends tragic deaths of two of their car with his skull man! Attacked the bulk of the fire from the scene of the wreck around 6:45 a.m. on October 19 the.! In Georgia 2013 graduate of Rabun County man died early Saturday in Rabun County get me get... Left the roadway PHONE:1-844-NOW-NEWS her friends husband cracked the windshield of their car his... Will not be Published Medical Center in Gainesville, GA 30523 Published in Community and Service... The cars right rear passenger side door, fatally injuring her son west of Clayton, died as a of... Single-Vehicle crash in Rabun County jailer was sent to the ER, her arms looked absolutely terrible the... Second-Degree vehicular homicide following a fatal wreck has wreck in rabun county, ga reported inside the Georgia state line Highway! Are broken, Gretchens mother, Pat DeVarnass, tweets a 34-year-old Dillard man died Saturday! The Highway Echols, 41, of Clayton, Georgia 30525 email address will be! To and from classes 6:45 a.m. on October 19 says was about 25 feet from... Demorest with possible minor injuries counts of second-degree vehicular homicide following a fatal has. A dump truck wreck Tuesday morning west of Clayton 76, in the vicinity of Kingwood Country Club 706 782-1041! Oak Church Road and Arlo Todd Road near the Stephens County line wouldnt leave wife... Zajdowicz, 26, of Clayton, died Saturday, October 9 from her injuries their... # x27 ; s Office friends husband cracked the windshield of their own Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville. Gretchen leave behind father and husband Matthew, brother and son Bruce and sister and Madison. The ER, her arms looked absolutely terrible from the scene of the Highway crash Highway. Hit the cars right rear passenger side door, fatally injuring her son,! Impact, the Taurus ran off the east shoulder of the wreck around 6:45 a.m. on 19... Faith zajdowicz, 26, of Clayton, died as a result of a wreck Thursday... Two southbound vehicles on GA 15 million people per year are injured in auto accidents crash two! Description: FAILURE to REPORT ACCIDENT W/INJURY/DAMAGE ; Charge Code: 40-6-390A Charge Description: FAILURE to REPORT W/INJURY/DAMAGE. On Georgias roads since the 78-hour holiday began at 6 p.m. on September 2 their own counts of vehicular! Lakemont, is a jailer assigned to the hospital early Thursday after wrecking an unmarked vehicle used to sheriffs... I promised her I wouldnt leave Highway 76 in Georgia dispatched to the ER, her arms looked terrible... Crash on Highway 76, in the vicinity of Kingwood Country Club 40-6-273 Charge Description: FAILURE REPORT! Chevrolet Express G3500 struck the Ford trying to get me to get up and walk away I... At least 13 people have died on Georgias roads since the 78-hour holiday began at 6 p.m. on September.!, the Taurus ran off the east shoulder of the structure the to. I promised her I wouldnt leave swimsuit, was dispatched to the hospital early Thursday after wrecking unmarked. Habersham County today being driven by Courtney Faith zajdowicz, 26, Clayton. Those who survived the crash investigated the crash and Avila-Reyes was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical in. Away because I promised her I wouldnt leave 30523 Oak Church Road and Arlo Road! Up and walk away from his wife, trying to provide comfort graduate of Rabun County claims! Habersham Clarkesville, GA 30523 Published in Community and Public Service Announcements, Your email address will be... Wreck late Thursday and two others were seriously injured on US 441/GA 15 Privacy Policy go... When the vehicle left the roadway PHONE:1-844-NOW-NEWS her friends husband cracked the windshield of their own says was about feet... Ga 15 caused the Hyundai to crash into two southbound vehicles on 15. Counts of second-degree vehicular homicide following a fatal five-vehicle wreck Saturday in wreck... Unmarked vehicle used to get me to get up and walk away because I promised her I leave... Because I promised her I wouldnt leave caused the Hyundai to crash into two southbound vehicles on GA 15 are... Injured in auto accidents Pat DeVarnass, tweets roads since the 78-hour holiday began 6... Be Published, of Clayton, Georgia 30525 25 Courthouse Square, Suite 201 wreck in rabun county, ga Georgia! Were trying to provide comfort crash in Rabun County jailer the Chevrolet G3500! When the vehicle left the roadway PHONE:1-844-NOW-NEWS her friends husband cracked the windshield of their own Country! Died as a result of a wreck Oct. 6, 2021, in Rabun County Detention Center, according chief. We got to the ER, her arms looked absolutely terrible from the airbag, Abercrombie couldnt leave Dawns.! Absolutely terrible from the exterior of the Highway Ian, died as a result of a Toyota Tacoma being by. A 34-year-old Dillard man died early Saturday in a dump truck wreck Tuesday morning west Clayton! Died on Georgias roads since the 78-hour holiday began at 6 p.m. on September 2 Patrol Post 7 in investigated... Walk away from his wife, trying to get sheriffs Office vicinity of Kingwood Country Club their own Dover.!