HALL CO. SHERIFF’S OFFICE (HCSO) NARRATIVE:
“A Blairsville man was seriously injured Thursday in that…two-vehicle collision on Cleveland Highway (US 129) in Clermont.
According to the preliminary investigation by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Accident Investigation Unit (AIU), Martin Ehlers, 75, was driving a 2019 Kia Optima southbound on Cleveland Highway just south of Hub Head Road when he apparently suffered a medical emergency and crossed the central turn lane into the northbound travel lane. Mr. Ehlers’ vehicle struck a northbound 2020 Mack truck towing a trailer with a cherry picker on board. As a result of the head-on collision, the truck was pushed into a ditch.
Mr. Ehlers was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville for treatment. He was last reported in critical condition. The driver of the commercial vehicle was not injured.
During the course of the investigation and the clearing of wreckage from the scene, Cleveland Highway was closed intermittently for approximately eight (8) hours (8:38 a.m. – 4:29 p.m.)”
EARLIER STORY. POSTED 4:45 THURSDAY AFTERNOON: Cleveland Hwy. accident: One serious injury, road closed seven hours
