Wednesday’s morning commute was slowed by heavy rain and wrecks on GA 365 in Habersham and Hall counties. The first wreck happened just before 7:30 a.m. at the Demorest Mt. Airy intersection.
According to Georgia State Patrol Post 7 in Toccoa, Estela Juan, 17, of Cornelia, was driving a Ford F150 pickup truck north on GA 365 when he rear-ended a Honda Civic driven by Jose Huertaleyva, 31, of Alto. Following that collision, a Honda Accord, driven by Carlos Guillen, 17, of Alto, rear-ended the pickup.
Juan suffered a minor injury, troopers say. The wreck did not injure any of the other drivers or their passengers. Habersham EMS says they did not transport anyone from the scene.
Approximately 45 minutes later, there were two crashes on GA 365 South in the area of Whitehall Road in Hall County.
Troopers with Georgia State Patrol Post 6 in Gainesville say Asa Wood, 27, of Demorest was driving a Dodge Challenger that hydroplaned and struck a guardrail. It bounced off the guardrail and struck another vehicle on the inside lane.
Three vehicles attempting to avoid the first wreck then wound up crashing.
The drivers involved in the second crash are identified as Erica Carter, 33, of Hiawassee; John Hicks, 65, of Box Elder, South Dakota; and Jamie King, 34, of Hiawassee.
Troopers say Carter was driving a Jeep Cherokee and slightly swerved into the median to avoid the first wreck. As she did, Hicks began moving from the outside to the inside lane as King followed him. Troopers say King was following too closely and swerved right to avoid hitting the Jeep Cherokee. As he did, the Mazda CX-9 he was driving struck Hicks’ Ford Escape. The impact of the crash caused the Mazda to rotate and strike the Jeep.
Initial reports indicated there were no injuries, but EMS did transport four people to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville to be checked for possible injuries. GSP says King and a passenger in her vehicle, Angelia McNeil, 50, of Lula, were transported along with Hicks and his passenger, Jacob Hicks, 34, of Demorest.
Troopers charged Wood with driving too fast for conditions in connection with the first wreck. They charged King with following too closely and a seatbelt violation.
The wrecks temporarily stalled traffic as crews worked to clear the wreckage from the highway.
Drivers are urged to use extra caution this week while traveling. Rain is making the roads slick. Patchy dense fog also poses a hazard. Forecasters call for patchy dense fog late tonight through early Thursday mainly south of the I-20 corridor. Rain is expected to continue off and on across Northeast Georgia through the weekend.
