Dawsonville woman charged with DUI

News

CORNELIA, Ga. — When 38-year-old Ashly Sophia Tolbert, 38, of Dawsonville was told she was under arrest for DUI, she chose to flee instead and crashed into another vehicle. She now faces additional charges.

The early investigation shows that the incident began after a 911 call that led to a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) being issued at around 9:43 p.m. for a possible DUI driver. The driver was later identified as being at the Cornelia Fire Department asking for directions. After firefighters realized that the driver fit the description of the BOLO. Cornelia police officers responded to the fire department, and one officer conducted field sobriety tests on Tolbert.

While Tolbert was in the process of driving away, a Cornelia Police officer fired a shot at her car’s tire. Tolbert led officers on a chase. During the chase, Tolbert hit a car with people in it and caused it to wreck. Tolbert’s car was disabled, and she stopped on the side of the road. She was taken into custody and booked into the Habersham County Detention Center.

No one was injured during the shooting or the chase.

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the car accident.

The GBI continues to conduct the independent officer involved shooting investigation. Once completed, it will provided to the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney for review.

Gainesville man injured in crash on SR 53

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DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – A Gainesville man was seriously injured today in a three-vehicle accident on SR 53 at approximately 11 a.m.

According to the Georgia State Patrol report, a 2019 Peterbilt tractor trailer driven by Tony Thomason, 50, of Salisbury was traveling eastbound on SR 53 near Amicalola Forest Drive while negotiating a downhill curve to the right. The Peterbilt started to overturn, striking a 2017 Peterbilt tractor trailer driven by Brian Haynes, 48, of Rome that was traveling westbound on SR 53.

After the tractor trailer driven by Thomason struck the tractor trailer driven by Haynes it continued east and overturned on its left side while crossing the centerline. It then struck the front of a 2018 Toyota RAV 4 that was traveling westbound. The driver of the RAV 4 a 46 year old Gainesville man was seriously injured and life flighted from the scene. His name will be released when more information becomes available.

Motor Carrier Compliance Division Responded to the scene. The Georgia State Patrol Specialized Crash Reconstruction Team is performing an independent investigation.

At this time there is no evidence of drugs or alcohol being a factor in the crash.

 

 

 

 

Authorities search for driver who fled from GSP

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Joshua Bush

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – Authorities are still searching for 31-year-old Joshua Bush, who led Georgia  State Patrol troopers on a high-speed chase through Dawson County Friday afternoon before he abandoned his vehicle and fled into the woods.

According to the incident report, Georgia State Patrol Trooper Stephen Boykin attempted to stop the Bush vehicle, a red Toyota Camry, after it ran the red light at Lumpkin Campground Road and Hwy. 53. When the officer activated his lights, the Bush vehicle accelerated at speeds reaching 95 mph before turning onto Perimeter Road and running over a stop sign.

The chase ended on Burt Creek Road near Shoal Creek when Bush jumped from the vehicle and fled on foot into the woods.

Two passengers in the vehicle, Everett Edward Skeen, 45 of Gainesville, and Kayee Allen, 22 of Cumming, were questioned by GSP troopers before being released. Both identified the driver as Joshua Warren Bush.

Bush faces multiple charges, including hit and run, leaving the scene of an accident, fleeing and/or attempting to elude.

Dahlonega woman killed in Dawson County crash

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DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – A 40-year-old Dahlonega woman was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Dawson County Monday (April 20).

According to the Georgia State Patrol accident report, Nicole Amber Moss was traveling west on Kelly Bridge Road when she lost control of her 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac she was driving. The vehicle left the roadway, overturned and struck a tree.

The report states that seat belts were not in use at the time of the crash. It is unknown if drugs, alcohol, or cell phones contributed to the crash.

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

 

Gainesville man killed in Dawson County crash

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DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. –A 31-year-old Gainesville man was killed Tuesday morning (Apr. 7) when his vehicle was struck by a Dodge Ram truck on Ga. Hwy. 53 east of Ga. Hwy. 183 around 9 a.m.

The Georgia State Patrol accident report stated James White, 41 of Dawsonville was traveling east on GA. 43 negotiation a curve to the right when his Dodge Ram crossed the centerline and struck the Ford Focus driven by Tyler Fried.

According to the report, White was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.

After impact, the Dodge Ram overturned onto its top. White was transported to an area hospital with visible injuries. Tyler Fried sustained fatal injuries from the crash. He was using his seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Charges currently are pending. The Georgia State Patrol Specialized Crash Reconstruction Team also responded to the crash scene.

 

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

 

 

GSP preparing for busy Thanksgiving Holiday weekend

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ATLANTA –The 102-hour Thanksgiving holiday travel period begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1.

“Reducing traffic crashes, deterring and correcting bad driving behaviors, and making the roadways safer is our job,” said Colonel Mark McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. “To make this happen, Troopers and Motor Carrier Officers will be patrolling interstates and secondary roads throughout the state during this holiday period.”

According to AAA, this year we will see the highest Thanksgiving travel volume since 2005. They are predicting most travelers – 49.3 million, a 2.8% increase from last year – will be traveling by automobile.

“Motorists should travel with patience and allow plenty of time to reach their destinations,” said McDonough. “In order to make traveling safer, drivers should be mindful and obey the posted speed limit, have every occupant in their vehicle properly retrained, and never drive distracted or impaired.”

During the 2018 Thanksgiving holiday, the Georgia State Patrol investigated 610 crashes, resulting in 242 injuries. Statewide, there were 15 fatal crashes, resulting in 15 deaths.  GSP investigated 10 of those crashes.  In addition to crash investigations, Troopers arrested 339 people for driving under the influence, while issuing 11,523 citations (500 for distracted driving) and 17,046 warnings.

During the holiday period, an updated traffic fatality count will be published on the Department of Public Safety’s Twitter page: http://www.twitter.com/ga_dps.

 

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

No injuries reported in wreck at Dawson County High

News

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Today (Sept. 18) at approximately 7:30 a.m., troopers from the Cumming Post of the Georgia State Patrol were called to investigate a crash on Perimeter Road in front of Dawson County High School.

A white GMC Yukon, driven by 32-year-old Gloria Marie Cruz of Dawsonville, was attempting to turn left from the Dawson County High School driveway onto Perimeter Road.  Cruz failed to yield to a black Dodge Ram 1500 truck, driven by 17-year-old Aaron David Muilenburg from Dawsonville, who was traveling north on Perimeter Road.

The front of the Yukon struck the right side of the Ram truck.  This impact caused the Ram truck to veer to the left into the central turn lane where it collided head on with a white Ford Expedition, driven by 45-year-old William Johnny Holtzclaw of Dawsonville.

In the Yukon, there were two passengers, a 6-month old female and a 5-year-old female.  Both children were properly restrained in the correct type of car seat. Everyone involved was properly restrained by seatbelts and no injuries were reported.

Alcohol and drugs were not a factor in this crash.

Cruz was cited for failure to yield after stopping at the stop sign.

According to one county commissioner, the Board of Commissioners and Board of Education agreed earlier this year to provide funding for someone from the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office direct traffic at schools in the morning and afternoon. Witnesses said there was no one directing traffic at the time of the accident.

 

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

One killed, four injured in single-vehicle wreck on Grant Ford

News

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – One person was killed and four others injured in a single-vehicle accident on Grant Ford Drive in Dawson County early Wednesday morning.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, 21-year-old Zoe Starr Sowell was driving a green Mazda 6 east on Grant For and attempted to negotiate a curve at a high rate of speed when she lost control and traveled off the south shoulder. The vehicle struck several trees then overturned.

Four passengers were riding in the rear seat of the vehicle and were not restrained.  Stephen Caldwell, 21 of Dawsonville, and Alyssa Boger, 20 of Lula, were ejected from the vehicle.  Caldwell was transported to Atlanta Medical Center by Air Life and Boger was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville by Air Life.

Boger succumbed to her injuries earlier this morning. Caldwell remains in critical condition.

The other two passengers, Robert Petty, 25 of Dawsonville, and Kaitlyn Head, 19 of Alto, were both transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center by ambulance.   Both suffered minor injuries.

Sowell, was wearing her seatbelt and suffered only minor injuries. She was not transported.

According to the report, alcohol was a contributing factor to this crash. Sowell was charged with the following:  Reckless driving, driving too fast for conditions, failure to maintain lane, DUI, serious injury by motor vehicle (felony), vehicular homicide first degree (felony). She is currently in the Dawson County Detention center.

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Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

 

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State troopers plan busy Memorial Day weekend

News

ATLANTA –The Georgia State Patrol is urging drivers who will be traveling throughout the state this weekend to make safety a priority. This year’s Memorial Day 78-hour holiday travel period will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 24, and end at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 27.

During the holiday period, state troopers will be on high-visibility patrols keeping an eye out for impaired drivers and other traffic violations that could potentially cause a crash. “We want to make holiday travel as safe as possible,” said Colonel Mark W. McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. “Observe the posted speed limit, don’t drive distracted, and plan a safe way home if consuming alcoholic beverages is in your plans,” he added.

Before you begin your trip, make sure your vehicle is “road ready”, by checking fluids, tires, brakes, etc. Also, make sure that everyone is wearing their seatbelt and that small children are properly restrained. “Remember to stay alert behind the wheel, ‘pack your patience’, and be courteous to other drivers at all times,” the commissioner said.

During the 2018 Memorial Day holiday, the Georgia State Patrol investigated 510 traffic crashes that resulted in 320 injuries and three traffic fatalities. In addition to the traffic crash investigations, troopers arrested 323 people for driving under the influence, while issuing 8,639 citations, and 11,979 warnings.

During the Memorial Day travel period, the Georgia State Patrol will again be participating in the national mobilization of the ‘Click It, or Ticket’ program. State troopers will be working alongside sheriffs’ deputies and police officers to enforce Georgia’s seat belt laws and to educate the public on the importance of wearing seat belts while traveling in motor vehicles. This program is coordinated in Georgia by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

The holiday traffic fatality count will be updated throughout the travel period on the Georgia Department of Public Safety’s Twitter account: http://www.twitter.com/ga_dps.

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

Final Fourth of July 2019 Holiday traffic count

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GEORGIA STATE PATROL PRESS RELEASE

ATLANTA — Traffic crashes across Georgia during the July Fourth holiday travel period resulted in 26 traffic deaths. This year, the holiday travel period was 102 hours long. It began at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, and ended at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 7.

Statewide, Georgia State Troopers investigated 513 traffic crashes resulting in 307 injuries, and 17 fatalities. In addition to the traffic crash investigations, 422 people were arrested for driving under the influence, while 12,554 citations and 16,846 warnings were issued.
In 2018, the Fourth of July travel period was 30 hours long.

Police pursuit that started in Dawson County ends on Ga. 136 in Hall County

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DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — A police chase that started on Ga. 400 in Dawson County at 7:57 a.m. resulted in the arrest of a Gainesville man on charges of  fleeing and attempting to elude, reckless driving, speeding, and driving under the influence.

Georgia State Patrol Corporal Travis Sanders reports a state trooper observed a 2019 Toyota Corolla traveling 85 mph in posted 55 mph speed zone traveling north on Georgia 400.

The driver of this vehicle was later identified as Jamee Hayes, age 26 of Gainesville.

Hayes fled from the trooper after the trooper attempted to perform a traffic stop. The pursuit traveled north onto Ga. 400 and then onto Ga. 136. The pursuit continued into Hall County and was brought to an end on Bark Camp Road in Hall County when the trooper performed a pursuit intervention technique.

Hayes was taken into custody and no injuries were reported as a result of the pursuit.

 

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

State Patrol reports final Labor Day holiday traffic count

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PRESS RELEASE

ATLANTA – Traffic crashes across Georgia during the Labor Day holiday travel period resulted in nine traffic deaths, with eight being worked by State Troopers. This year, the holiday travel period was 78-hours long. It began at 6 p.m. on Fri., Aug. 30, and ended at 11:59 p.m. on Mon., Sept. 2.

Statewide, Georgia State Troopers investigated 523 traffic crashes that resulted in 288 injuries and eight fatalities. In addition to the traffic crash investigations, 244 people were arrested for driving under the influence, while 5,897 citations and 7,320 warnings were issued.

Gordon County Sheriff’s Office reported one traffic death during the holiday period.

There were no fatalities in Dawson County.

 

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

Car crashes into offices in Town Center Shopping Center

News

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — A car drove through a building in the Dawsonville Town Center (Food Lion Shopping Center on Main Street at approximately 12:48 p.m.

Troopers from the Cumming Post of the Georgia State Patrol were dispatched to a crash involving a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta driven by 71-year-old Rita Lynett Gayton, from Dawsonville. Gayton was attempting to park in front of Suite 130 in the shopping center. Instead of stopping in the parking space, the Jetta continued forward, jumped the curb, and drove through the front glass wall of Suite 130. The Jetta then drove partially through the interior wall between Suite 130 and Suite 140.

Both Suite 130 and Suite 140 were are owned by Dawsonville Fee Owner, LLC and were unoccupied.

Ms. Gayton was not injured in the crash.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

Driver injured when cement truck overturns

News

PICKENS COUNTY, Ga. – A cement truck overturned on Rimrock Road just inside the Pickens County line Monday, Aug. 20, at approximately 9:25 a.m.

Dawson County Emergency Services (DCES) responded along with the Georgia State Patrol. The driver inside the vehicle and had to be extricated by first responders. He was transported to Kennestone

Hospital by Pickens County EMS for further evaluation of his injuries which are not believed to be life threatening.

This incident is being investigated by Georgia State Patrol. This alife-threatening an automatic mutual aid agreement with Dawson and Pickens counties assisting each other. Dawson County Stations 1, 6 and 8 responded.

Photos were taken by Jason Dooley, Dawson County Fire and Emergency Services.

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

Four-vehicle accident reported on Ga. Hwy 53 Tuesday morning

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DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – A four-vehicle accident that involves an overturned truck carrying 10,000 pounds of dynamite on Ga. Hwy. 53 near Sundown Way has closed Hwy. 53 in both directions this morning (Sept. 10). The accident occurred east of Ga. 400.

Georgia State Patrol, Dawson County Emergency Services the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office are on the scene and motorists are asked to avoid the area. Units from HAZMAT are also on the scene to clean up an oil spill.

Hwy. 53 is closed in both directions between Blue Ridge Overlook and Dawson Forest Road,

Fetch Your News will have more information as it becomes available.

Wreck with Entrapment at Ga. 400 and Hwy. 53

News

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Dawson County Fire units responded at 2:36 p.m. to a motor vehicle accident with entrapment. Dawson County Engine 2 arrived on scene and observed one dump truck over turned onto a passenger vehicle. Additional Engines, Med units, Forsyth County Heavy
Rescue and Air Life were there to assist in the extrication and treatment of the trapped
occupants.

Fire/Rescue personnel on scene, had to perform an extensive extrication to free the patient
from the passenger vehicle. Various extrication equipment and Wrecker services were used
to stabilize the vehicles. Once the vehicles were stabilized personnel were able to use “Jaws
of Life” to free entrapped occupant.

Two patients were transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center by ground. Both
patients appear to be in stable condition. Georgia State Patrol is investigating the cause of
the accident.

 

(Photos provided by Dawson County Fire/EMS)

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