Franklin Co. Sheriff’s Office Deputy Involved in Weekend I-85 Accident

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

An Asheville, North Carolina man is charged with causing a wreck Sunday involving a Franklin County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

It happened Sunday afternoon on Interstate 85 northbound near mile marker 164.

According to the Georgia State Patrol incident report, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Major Johnny Bannister had stopped his patrol vehicle, a Ford F-150 pickup, on the west shoulder of I-85 attempting to slow oncoming traffic for a lane closure ahead.

The pick-up had its lights flashing to warn motorists to slow down.

Troopers say a 2007 Toyota Corolla, driven by Stephen Solana of Asheville, North Carolina struck the back of the deputy’s pick-up.

Solana later told troopers he saw traffic in his lane stopping so he tried to avoid a collision in his lane by swerving into the grassy median.

Solana said he did not see the deputy’s pickup parked on the side of the Interstate.

Bannister suffered minor injuries and was taken to Ty Cobb Regional Medical for treatment and X-rays.

He was released several hours later.

Solana and a baby in the Toyota were treated at the scene.

Another passenger in Solana’s car was taken by EMS to Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center.

Their condition is not known.

Solana was charged with failure to maintain lane, following too closely.