Charges Filed in Tuesday I-85 Wreck

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

The driver of the 18-wheeler that overturned Tuesday on Interstate 85 in Franklin County faces charges in Georgia.

It happened about 10 a.m. Tuesday near mile marker 174 in the southbound lane of I-85 near the Franklin/Hart County line.

Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas says the driver of the 18-wheeler, identified as Edward Terwilliger, Jr. of Kershaw, South Carolina, drove on to the shoulder of the road, then over-corrected, causing his truck and trailer to overturn and strike the cable barrier in the center median.

Thomas says the truck landed on its side, crossing all lanes of I-85, trapping Terwilliger inside the cab.

The Lavonia Fire Department responded to the scene, along with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia State Patrol.

According to the Georgia State Patrol incident report, Terwilliger suffered unspecified injuries and was taken by ambulance to AnMed Medical Center in Anderson.

The GSP has charged him with failure to maintain lane and not wearing a seatbelt.

It took crews hours to clear the wreck and initial traffic behind the truck was backed up for about three miles.

While that cleanup took place, motorists coming into Georgia from South Carolina on I-85 were diverted off the Interstate at Exit 177 and detoured down State Route 59 through Lavonia.