Distracted driver blamed for 4-vehicle pile-up; 2 injuries

GEORGIA STATE PATROL NARRATIVE:

“On October 18th,2023 at 3:28pm, Troopers were dispatched an accident involving Vehicle #1 (Chevrolet Equinox) that was traveling north in the left lane on SR 365 (Cornelia Highway). Vehicle #2 (BMW 328I) was stopped in traffic facing north behind Vehicle #3 (Volkswagen Golf all track)in the left lane on SR 365 (Cornelia Highway). Vehicle #1 struck the rear of Vehicle #2 with its front, which caused Vehicle #2 to strike the rear of Vehicle #3 with its front. Vehicle #3 was pushed slighting into the right hand lane and grazed the right rear side of Vehicle #4 (unknown) with its front right side.

After the collision, Vehicle #1 traveled off the left side of the roadway, into a median, and came to a final, uncontrolled rest facing west.

Vehicle #4 left the scene of the accident. Driver #3 stated she did not notice the grazing until after the accident occurred and suggested Driver #4 left without knowing it’s involvement in the accident.

Driver #1 stated he had his phone on his lap playing music. Driver #1 also stated the cell phone began to slip off his lap and he looked down at the phone to catch it when the accident occurred.

Driver #1, Jesse Barlow from Clayton, Ga, was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.

Driver #2, Reagan Carter from Eastanollee, Ga, was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville with complaint of pain.

Driver #3, Diana Percy, and her passenger Michael Percy, both from Walhalla, SC, did not need transport.”