The Georgia State Patrol has released preliminary details on the Oct. 12 wreck involving Habersham County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Zach Beam, who suffered a broken arm as a result of the crash.
Just before 10:40 p.m. Saturday night, Beam was traveling north on Ga. State Route 365 in a marked patrol car (a Dodge Charger), approaching the intersection of Toccoa Highway and Ga. 365, with emergency lighting and siren equipment activated when he “failed to use proper due regard,” according to GSP’s report.
Beam “performed a left turn on GA 17 entering the intersection,” according to the report, when a southbound Mazda CX-5 driven by Abby-Gail Smith “struck (Beam’s) Charger at an angle in the intersection.”
Beam’s Charger came to an uncontrollable stop at the intersection. The Mazda came to an uncontrollable stop off road on GA 365 striking a curb, utility pole and a crosswalk pedestrian traffic signal, according to GSP.
“(Beam) will be wrote up – probably receive some time off,” Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell said Monday. “…the supervisors will do the paperwork and make a recommendation. They’ll look at it, and based on any prior history or any issues, they’ll recommend whatever punishment that they deem necessary to fit the violation.”
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A wreck involving a Habersham County sheriff’s patrol car and passenger vehicle shut down a section of US 441/GA 15 for nearly two hours overnight.
The wreck was reported around 10:43 p.m. at the Tom Arrendale Interchange at Toccoa Highway outside Clarkesville.
Photos from the scene show extensive front-end damage to the patrol car and what appears to be a Mazda CX model up against a utility pole.
Habersham County Emergency Services, sheriff’s personnel, and state troopers responded to the scene. The road was closed at the interchange for nearly two hours as troopers investigated the crash and crews cleared the wreckage.
At this point, it is unclear what caused the wreck and whether there were any injuries. Now Habersham has contacted the Georgia State Patrol and sheriff’s office for more information. Check back here for updates.
