21 Die On Georgia Roadways Over Thanksgiving Holiday

A total of 21 people lost their lives on Georgia roadways over the Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Period, according to the latest numbers provided by the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

The 102-hour holiday travel period began at 6 p.m. last Wednesday and ended at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26.

Within the Troop B region, only one fatality was reported when Georgia State Patrol Post 52 Hartwell worked a single-fatality crash Friday night.

Georgia State Patrol Trooper Corporal Wiliam Jordan of GSP Post 52 Hartwell said the driver was fleeing from law enforcement after speeding away from a safety checkpoint on Highway 77 at Bio Church Road late Friday night.

Jordan said Troopers from Post 52 Hartwell along with deputies from the Hart County Sheriff’s Office were conducting a road check when a white 2013 Nissan Frontier entered the checkpoint.

A Hart County deputy made contact with the driver and requested to see a driver’s license.

When the driver could not provide a driver’s license, the driver was asked to pull into the gas station parking lot. As the vehicle pulled into the gas station it failed to stop and fled on GA 77 South at a high rate of speed initiating a vehicle pursuit.

As a Trooper and two deputies caught up to the vehicle, the vehicle left the roadway to the right, struck a tree, and caught on fire.

The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Contrary to comments made on social media Cpt Jordan said there was no gunfire involved in the pursuit.

Cpl. Jordan said what people thought was gunfire was actually the sound of the crash and the sound of the Nissan’s tires popping in the fire.

Jordan said the crash is still under investigation and as of Monday, the driver had not been positively identified.

Further information will be released when it becomes available.

Last year, 18 people died on Georgia roads during the Thanksgiving travel period.