Three Die Sunday

Last Sunday was a tragic day for several Jasper Countians. It began early, with the 911 center receiving a call about a head-on collision at 12:19 a.m. on Sunday.

Medical units, fire fighters and first responders turned out in force to Hwy. 212 west of Waters Bridge. It turned out it was not a head-on collision, but it was indeed a fatal wreck. Two people were killed, and three others were injured.

According to Trooper Brad Walker, a 2004 Chevy Impala was traveling east on Hwy. 212 at a high rate of speed when the vehicle exited onto the south side of the road. The driver then overcorrected, and went across the road into the west-bound lane, striking a Ford Explorer. The Impala then rotated clockwise, said Trooper Walker. The Impala was driven by Shon Johnson of Oxford, and had a passenger, Julie Hughes. Both Mr. Johnson and Ms. Hughes were killed in the accident (see obituary notices, page 2).

The Impala hit a 2002 Ford Explorer driven by Jacqueline Freeman-Boyd. Ms. Boyd had two juveniles in the car with her. The seven-year-old child was airlifted to Egleston Children’s Hospital in Atlanta, and Ms. Boyd and a teenager were taken to Newton General Hospital. All three were out of the hospital by Tuesday night, according to Trooper Walker.

Sunday evening, a Jasper County man died at an area called “The Falls” on Murder Creek in Putnam County.

Christopher Daniel Lord, 38, was at the creek with his wife and children, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills. He said it was hard to determine what happened. His wife said he just disappeared. Sheriff Sills said the man reportedly could swim. He said current would not be an issue there, and indicated the water level was not high.

He suggested perhaps Mr. Lord hit his head. Sheriff Sills said his agency requested an autopsy, but he did not know if the crime lab had agreed.