Charges have been filed against a Clarkesville man accused of causing a head-on collision Friday morning in Habersham County.
The accident happened just before 7 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 17 and Cool Springs Road.
The State Patrol says 86-year-old Charles Timko was driving a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport north on Hwy. 17. He crossed into the southbound lane and struck a 1955 Jeep Cherokee Sport. The Jeep was driven by 64-year-old Gregory Jones of Clarkesville.
The crash caused Jones’ vehicle to catch on fire. He was trapped inside. Two bystanders broke out a window in his vehicle and pulled him to safety before emergency responders arrived. Upon their arrival, Habersham Emergency Services personnel extinguished the flames.
Habersham EMS treated and transported the drivers to the hospital. Timko was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville with serious injuries. Jones went to Habersham Medical Center with suspected minor injuries, according to the State Patrol.
Officials say the bystanders’ quick thinking and action saved Jones from suffering more serious injuries.
Timko is charged with failure to maintain lane.
