FATAL ACCIDENT

Crystal Elaine Hill of Jackson was killed when the 2002 Jeep Liberty she was driving crossed the yellow line and collided with a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Jimmy Dean Copeland of Mansfield, according to a report from the Georgia State Patrol (GSP).

The accident occurred last Saturday afternoon on Jackson Lake Road. According to the GSP report, Ms. Hill was traveling south on Jackson Lake Road, and Mr. Copeland was traveling north. Both were negotiating the curve. Vehicle 1, belonging to Ms. Hill, failed to maintain lane and crossed into the northbound lane, the report said. She immediately tried to stop, but was unable to. The second vehicle also attempted to stop. However, the two hit head-on, and Ms. Hill’s Jeep caught fire shortly after impact and became fully engulfed in flames.

Witnesses were able to remove Ms. Hill from the vehicle. Ms. Hill was not wearing a seat belt. Both Mr. Copeland, and a passenger, Elizabeth Mary Copeland, who were wearing seat belts, were taken by ambulance to Macon Medical Center for their injuries. The road was shut down for several hours.