Athens’ traffic death toll rises after two more reported deaths

Two people injured in separate wrecks earlier this month in Athens have died. Their deaths raise the number of fatal motor vehicle crashes in the city this year to seven.

One of the fatalities was an 85-year-old woman from Crawfordville. Athens-Clarke County police say Julia Hampton was fatally injured in a wreck on May 6 at the intersection of Nowhere Road and Freeman Drive.

The police department’s initial investigation indicates Hampton was driving a 2003 Lincoln Town Car traveling North on Freeman Drive. The Town Car entered the intersection with Nowhere Road and collided with a 2019 Jeep Cherokee.

EMS transported Hampton to a local hospital. On May 24, police were notified that Hampton died as a result of her injuries sustained in the crash.

Also on May 24, police were told that a 36-year-old Athens man had died from injuries he sustained earlier this month in a single-vehicle wreck.

Fredrico Purnell was fatally injured in the crash on May 4 at the intersection of Danielsville Road and Nowhere Road.

According to Athens-Clarke County police, their initial investigation indicates Purnell was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe north on Danielsville Road. The Tahoe struck a raised median and entered the intersection of Nowhere Road.

Purnell was ejected from the vehicle and was transported to a local hospital.

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