Full Notification

Sheriff Scott Berry releases the following information concerning the fatal crash on 316 at McNutt Creek Road:

A deputy was working a security detail in a subdivision in the area. He was parked in the subdivision. An approaching vehicle made a sudden evasive move when the driver saw the deputy, and it quickly fled the area. The deputy followed but lost visual contact with the vehicle. The deputy later located the vehicle. Its headlights were turned off, and the vehicle went through the yard of a residence and was headed directly toward the deputy who was able to avoid a collision by throwing his vehicle into reverse.

At that point, the deputy was able to get the tag number of the vehicle, and he activated his emergency equipment. The suspect vehicle increased speed, kept turning on and off its headlights, failed to stop at a stop sign, and then it went into Highway 316 where it crashed into the side of a tractor trailer going under the trailer and being caught by the rear tandem axels. The vehicle was dragged for several hundred feet before bursting into flames. Both occupants in the suspect vehicle killed.
The trailer was hauling large spools of paper that had to be off loaded before the trailer could be moved from on top of the suspect vehicle.
The owner of the suspect vehicle was not involved in the incident. It is unknown who was driving the suspect vehicle. Due to the nature of the crash, identification of the deceased is proving difficult and it may be some time before positive identifications are made.

The Georgia State Patrol is handling the investigation, and all inquiries should be directed to them. We want to thank the Georgia Department of Transportation for their response to the scene, and of course, thanks to Oconee County Fire Rescue and Wilson’s Wrecker Service.