Georgia State Patrol has released details on a wreck between multiple vehicles on GA 365 South between Level Grove Road and Kudzu Hill Road over the weekend.
Agencies with Habersham County, Baldwin, Cornelia and GSP responded to a call of a wreck involving a Toyota Camry, Acura MDX and a Ford Fusion with one person trapped just after 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Multiple people were injured.
On scene, GSP’s investigation determined the three vehicles were traveling south when the driver of the Camry – Teresa Hopkins, 57, of Clarkesville – and the driver of the Acura MDX – Yesenia Padilla, 31, of Toccoa were following too closely, according to authorities.
Authorities say the driver of Fusion, Yorma Zapata Urdaneta, 24, of Winder, stated that he was traveling behind a truck when a trash can flew out of the truck bed. A report by GSP states Urdaneta applied the brakes and swerved to miss the trash can before the Fusion was rear ended.
Police say Hopkins’ Camry struck Urdaneta’s Fusion in the rear with its front. After the initial impact, GSP reports a second rear-to-front impact occurred between Padilla’s MDX and the Camry. The Camry then struck the Fusion in the rear in the right lane of GA 365 South.
An occupant in one of the three vehicles was trapped but was able to free themselves before first responders arrived on scene. Cornelia and Baldwin police departments diverted traffic onto Level Grove Road as GA 365 southbound lanes were temporarily closed.
outside Cornelia (Rob Moore/Habersham County)
That temporary closure lasted about 10 minutes before one southbound lane was
reopened, according to officials. GA 365 southbound again was shut down from 11:55 a.m. until 12:20 p.m. as the three vehicles were cleared from the scene.
