It was a tragic start to the Christmas holiday for one local family, after an ATV accident sent two of them to the trauma unit at a Gainesville hospital.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, 27-year-old Austin Kimsey of Demorest was driving a 2019 Polaris RZR on Daniel Road at Poplar Creek Trail Wednesday night when he lost control of the vehicle. The ATV ran off the road, struck an embankment, overturned, and ejected Kimsey and his passenger, 55-year-old Jeffery Kimsey, also of Demorest.
Habersham 911 dispatched first responders to the scene around 9:10 p.m. on Dec. 23. Habersham EMS transported both men to Northeast Georgia Medical Center as Level 1 Trauma Alerts. Jeffery Kimsey was in serious condition, Austin Kimsey was in critical condition, according to EMS officials.
“Unfortunately like Thanksgiving, we are starting the holidays off with another tragic accident,” says Habersham County Emergency Services Director Chad Black. “Please keep the families in your thoughts and prayers, as well as our personnel, who continue to work hard during these very difficult and unprecedented times.”
According to the Georgia State Patrol, the younger Kimsey was driving too fast for conditions when he lost control of the vehicle. The investigation is not complete. Charges are pending.
