A Clarkesville man is in jail facing numerous charges after fleeing the scene of an early morning head-on collision. Trooper Brady Galloway with the Georgia State Patrol says 51-year old Jose Diaz was arrested at his girlfriend’s house some five hours after the crash. He was found with a knife and wearing a bullet proof vest but was arrested without incident.
The accident happened around 5:15 a.m. Tuesday on GA 255 near Cowart Road. Galloway says 57-year old Monte Osborn of Rabun County was critically injured in the wreck. He was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
According to Galloway, Diaz was driving northbound on GA 255 near GA 255 Alternate when he crossed the center line and struck Osborn’s car head-on. Diaz and his girlfriend, 37-year old Amy Bradley Eller of Clarkesville, fled the accident scene on foot.
Authorities managed to locate Eller who informed them Diaz might return to her home at 12545 Highway 197. When officers arrived, Diaz ran into the woods. At some point during the search for him, Diaz made his way back into the basement of the house. That’s where he was arrested around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Diaz is charged with DUI, hit and run and a series of other traffic violations. Trooper Galloway says it appears alcohol was involved in the accident and there were “indicators of drugs” at the scene.
Diaz was transported to the Habersham County jail. No charges were filed against Eller.
Beloved family pet missing since accident
Osborn was carrying his cat and dog to the vet when the accident happened. The dog was uninjured and was picked up by Habersham County Animal Control. The cat, an orange tabby named George, ran away. Animal Control Officer Wayne Higgins says they’re still trying to find him.
Higgins says the family is upset by the loss of their pet. They’re asking people in the area of GA 255 near Cowart Road to keep an eye out for him. If you find him, please contact Habersham County Animal Control at (706) 754-0044.
