15 People Die on Georgia Roadways Over July 4th Holiday Weekend

As of noon Sunday, 15 people had died on Georgia roadways over the July 4th holiday weekend, according to the Georgia Dept of Public Safety.

One of those was in the District 2 region which includes Franklin, Hart, Madison, and Elbert counties.

Georgia State Patrol Trooper Cpl William Jordan of Post 52 in Hartwell tells WLHR News it happened around 5:45p Wednesday evening on Nickville Road near Knotts Landing Drive.

Jordan said a black 2003 Ford Ranger was traveling south on Nickville Road when it left the roadway, overturned several times, and struck a tree.

The passenger of the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene.

He is identified as 23-year-old Keegan Polnazek of Elbert County.

The driver of the vehicle, 22-year-old Aidan Polnaszek, was transported to Piedmont Athens Regional with non-life-threatening injuries.

Williams said the Georgia State Patrol’s Specialized Collison Reconstruction Team (SCRT) was notified and responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.

He added that the investigation is ongoing, and so far, no charges have been filed.

The 102-hour July 4th holiday weekend began at 6p Wednesday, July 3, and ended at 11:59p Sunday night.