Youth involved in church van wreck succumbs
The Georgia State Patrol charged Barry Thomas Clark, 64, of Hartwell, with DUI and other charges in connection to the wreck on June 29.
UPDATE:
An Eastanollee teen involved in Saturday afternoon’s wreck involving a church van in Demorest died early Wednesday, July 3.
Habersham County Coroner Kasey McEntire confirmed that 15-year-old Theodore “Teddy ” Bone, 15, succumbed to his injuries at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and the whole River Point community during this very difficult time,” McEntire said.
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UPDATE:
According to Georgia State Patrol reports, a Toyota 4Runner was driving east on Demorest / Mount Airy Highway and failed to stop at a red light at the intersection with State Route 365 around 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
The 4Runner, driven by Barry Clark, collided with the van that was carrying Bone and at least four other youth. Clark was charged with driving under the influence and other associated charges.
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Habersham County E-911 dispatchers began receiving calls at 1:37 p.m. Saturday of a multiple-injury wreck on Ga. 365 at Demorest-Mt. Airy Highway.
A Demorest police officer arrived with one minute and confirmed the wreck involved a church van and an SUV and occurred in the southbound lanes.
Habersham County Emergency Services responded a full multiple-injury assignment with Demorest Fire Department and mutual aid from Cornelia Fire Department.
One victim from the church van was rushed to Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville. Another from the van was airlifted from the scene to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. Another was taken by ambulance to Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville, as was the driver of the SUV.
Three other occupants of the van also were taken by private vehicles for treatment.
Habersham County Emergency Services Engine 12, Engine 13, Engine 14, Med 2, Med 9, Med 12, Med 16, and Med 21 responded along with Battalion 1, Captain 1, 811 (captain of training), and PIO responded, along with Demorest Fire Department Engine 5 and Demorest Fire Chief Scheuerer.
Cornelia Fire Department Engine 22 and Fire Chief Billy Joe Jenkins Jr. also responded to assist, along with numerous units from the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office and a sheriff’s office chaplain.
Georgia Department of Transportation personnel arrived and assisted with closure of the southbound lanes until shortly before 4 p.m.
The Georgia State Patrol and its Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team are investigating.