A car slammed into a parked van in front of Shaw Industries near Thomson on Friday morning critically injuring a 6-year-old girl and leaving a young woman in serious condition in an Augusta hospital, authorities say.
Four other people also were taken to the hospital, but since have been released.
Trooper First Class Steve Shelton of the Georgia State Patrol Post in Thomson identified the child listed in critical condition on Friday afternoon as Jaylen Rogers, of Thomson. The woman listed in serious, but stable condition, is Monique Carr, 23, also of Thomson. Both of them were taken to the Medical College of Georgia Hospital, following the 8:10 a.m. collision that occurred along the Warrenton Highway.
Because of her medical condition, the little girl was flown to MCG by helicopter, Trooper Shelton said.
Three of the other four persons injured in the wreck included the driver of a 1999 Ford Windstar van, Mary Ann Rogers, 33, and Youlunda Bouthry, 35, both of Thomson, and Demango Crowder, 16, of Augusta.
The driver of the other vehicle, a 1993 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight, Guy Shivers, 81, of Thomson, also was injured. All of the injured victims were treated at the scene by personnel with the McDuffie County Emergency Medical Services and firefighters/first responders with the McDuffie County Fire/Rescue Services.
Trooper Shelton said Mr. Shivers was responsible for the wreck - having fallen asleep at the wheel.
The trooper said Mr. Shivers, who was traveling east on the Warrenton Highway, traveled 642 feet off the north shoulder of the roadway and then crossed over into the entrance driveway of Shaw Industries, where he smashed into the passenger side door of the van driven by Ms. Rogers.
Trooper Shelton said the van was "completed vaulted" into the air from the force of the impact. Both vehicles were demolished.
Mr. Shivers has been charged with failure to maintain lane, according to Trooper Shelton.
