The Wednesday afternoon tractor-trailer accident that closed a section of Winder Highway for about eight hours resulted in only minor injuries to the rig’s driver and there was no hazardous material leakage.
GEORGIA STATE PATROL (GSP) NARRATIVE:
“…at approximately 1205, troopers from GSP-Gainesville responded to the area of (State Route) 53 (Winder Hwy) and Benefield Rd (around Road Atlanta) to investigate crash involving an overturned tractor trailer.
Upon arrival and investigation, troopers determined Cody Michael Freeman, 31, of Cheraw, S.C. was operating a Freightliner tractor-trailer westbound on SR 53 (Winder Hwy). Mr. Freeman failed to negotiate a left-hand curve, causing the vehicle to travel onto the north shoulder. The truck struck a shallow ditch and then overturned onto its passenger side.
Mr. Freeman was transported to a local hospital by Hall County Fire (Rescue) for a complaint of injury. He was cited for Failure to Maintain Lane.
The tanker being towed by Mr. Freeman contained liquid latex, but there was no leakage.”
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) issued several traffic alerts during the time the road was closed. The last one, signaling the “all-clear,” was posted about 7:30 Wednesday night.