A late-night wreck Friday in Habersham County claimed the life of a Clarkesville man.
23-year-old Austin Christopher Wilkes died when the pickup truck he was driving crashed into an embankment and overturned.
Troopers from Georgia State Patrol Post 7 in Toccoa responded to the single-vehicle crash on GA 255 Alternate around 10 p.m. on October 1.
According to the State Patrol, Wilkes was traveling south in a 1992 Chevrolet Silverado when he ran off the shoulder of the road. He was ejected and fatally injured as the vehicle overturned.
The accident temporarily blocked all lanes of travel as troopers investigated the crash and emergency crews cleared the scene.
Wilkes’ dog, Remi, was with him at the time of the wreck. She survived but is now missing.
“This was his pride and joy and the last thing we have left of him,” says Wilkes’ sister, Ansley.
Family members spotted Remi Saturday morning, October 2, on Highway 255 at Deerwalk Drive near where the accident happened but were unable to catch her. Friends and neighbors have posted flyers of the missing dog in the area.
The red nose pitbull was wearing a collar with Austin Wilkes’ name and phone number on it. The family is asking people to keep an eye out for Remi. If you see her, please call Ansley Wilkes at 706-768-5248 or call the number on her tag.
