UPDATE: Driver rescued after car plunges into creek

A driver escaped serious harm after crashing upside down into Deep Creek in Hollywood, GA, on Saturday, June 15, 2024. (Daniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com)

A driver had a close call late Saturday in northern Habersham when his car ran off the road into a creek.

Around 11:22 p.m. on June 15, Habersham County E-911 received a call about a submerged vehicle in Hollywood.

The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) investigated the wreck. According to the preliminary accident report, 19-year-old Timothy Villagomez of Clarkesville was driving a Honda Accord northbound on Ernest Dover Road. Troopers say he failed to maintain his lane in the curve, traveled down an embankment, and overturned in Deep Creek.

The car landed on its roof and was submerged in approximately three feet of water.

A retired firefighter helped get Villagomez to safety. Habersham County Emergency Services transported him to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Demorest with non-life-threatening injuries.

GSP issued Villagomez several warnings for distracted driving, failure to maintain lane and driving too fast for conditions.

(Daniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com)
(Daniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com)