Motorcyclist taken to hospital after near miss in Clarkesville

Habersham EMS transported a motorcyclist to the hospital after he was injured in an evasive maneuver while driving in Clarkesville on April 20, 2023. (Jerry Neace/Now Habersham)

A motorcyclist was injured Thursday afternoon in Clarkesville when he did an evasive maneuver to avoid hitting a vehicle in front of him.

Lance Gowens of Sugar Hill was driving a Honda CRF 300 south on Highway 115 at Bartley Wilbanks Road when the vehicle in front of him slowed. According to the Georgia State Patrol, Gowens “hit the brakes and laid down his bike” in the middle of the highway to avoid a collision.

Habersham EMS transported the 53-year-old Gowens to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville for treatment of possible minor injuries.

Georgia State Patrol Post 7 in Toccoa investigated the accident. State troopers issued Gowens a warning for following too closely.

Troopers say the motorcyclist laid down his bike in the road to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of him. (Jerry Neace/Now Habersham)
Traffic on Hwy. 115 in Clarkesville was temporarily detoured following the wreck. (Jerry Neace/Now Habersham)