Fog is believed to have played a role in separate vehicle wrecks in McDuffie and Warren counties on Monday, according to local authorities. The crashes left a Dearing woman in serious condition and a Doraville, Ga., man in critical condition and both hospitalized in Augusta.
Sarah Mae Todd, 70, of Dearing, was seriously injured and taken to the Medical College of Georgia Hospital following a one-vehicle wreck at the intersection of Luckys Bridge and Tudor roads shortly after 8 a.m., said Cindy Simons, senior radio communications officer with the Georgia State Patrol post in Thomson.
Ms. Todd, who was driving a GMC Canyon, told Trooper First Class Steve Shelton that she didn't see the stop sign at the intersection. She said she lost control of the SUV, which traveled 44 feet across Luckys Bridge Road before striking a ditch and several small trees, Ms. Simons said.
The victim was treated at the scene by personnel with the McDuffie County Emergency Medical Services and first responders with the McDuffie County Fire/Rescue Services. She was taken by ambulance to MCG with what were described as serious injuries.
At the time of the accident, dense fog was reported throughout McDuffie and surrounding counties.
In an unrelated wreck on Interstate 20 in Warren County, a Doraville man was critically injured near mile marker 158 after the driver of the car hit a bale of pine straw, causing him to lose control and strike a large tree head-on.
Ms. Simons said Calvin Lank, 56, was a passenger in a 1991 Acura that was driven by David Dang, of Norcross. Mr. Dang received only minor injuries. Mr. Lank, who was reported in critical condition when he left the scene, first was treated at the scene by personnel with the Warren County Emergency Medical Services and first responders with the county's fire services.
Sgt. First Class Jason Johnson, post commander of the Georgia State Patrol post in Thomson, charged Mr. Dang with operating a car without insurance, Ms. Simons said.
