NGHS urges 14 days isolation

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GAINESVILLE, Ga. – As the number of positive cases of COVID-19 and associated deaths in Georgia continue to climb, Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) physicians and board members – along with city and county officials in multiple jurisdictions – are collectively urging you stay home for at least 14 days to slow the spread of the virus.

“This is a critical moment in time for the health of our local communities, state and nation,” says Supriya Mannepalli, MD, medical director of Infectious Disease for Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC). “If people don’t stay home and isolate more strictly now, COVID-19 will continue to spread rapidly – potentially as rapidly as it has in other countries that waited until it was too late to avoid dire consequences.”

As of 5 p.m. on March 27, the Georgia Department of Public Health reports 2,001 positive cases of COVID-19 and 64 deaths already caused by the virus.

“When you hear experts talk about ‘flattening the curve,’ what they’re talking about is slowing the spread of COVID-19 before hospitals and healthcare resources are overwhelmed,” says Shravan Kethireddy, MD, medical director of Critical Care for NGMC. “If that happens, we will be forced to start making extremely difficult decisions about who receives care and who doesn’t – and no one ever wants to make those decisions.”

A joint resolution issued by NGHS’ medical staff and board members, in collaboration with the Hall County Commission and Gainesville City Council, recognizes some necessary exceptions for leaving your home. They ask that you leave only for tasks required by your job and necessary needs such as food, medications and medical emergencies.

“Our hope is that businesses will make every effort to encourage people to work from home whenever possible, or to create a work environment that allows for at least six feet of distance between workers,” says RK Whitehead, chair of the NGHS Board of Trustees. “As a local business owner, I know that isn’t easy for my business and won’t be easy for many other businesses – and healthcare workers may not always have those options – but we must all make a serious commitment to social distancing. We believe it’s necessary to save lives.”

If you start to feel sick, Northeast Georgia Health System is advising people to take three simple steps:

1) Monitor your symptoms at home – pay close attention to symptoms like fever, cough and shortness of breath.

2) Call before you come – if you feel you need to leave home for care, call your doctor’s office first to discuss your symptoms and get direction about where to go. If you don’t have a doctor, call an urgent care clinic or find a practice at www.ngpg.org. “You can also complete an online E-Visit from home by visiting www.ngpg.org/evisit.”

3) Rely on healthcare providers to determine if you need to be tested – caregivers will evaluate your symptoms and will coordinate testing if needed. If you experience emergency symptoms including trouble breathing; persistent pain or pressure in your chest; new confusion or inability to arouse; or bluish lips or face – seek medical treatment immediately.

Due to a national shortage of test supplies, Northeast Georgia Health System is currently prioritizing testing for these patient groups experiencing symptoms:

  • Anyone who has experienced symptoms within the last 14 days and traveled to high-risk areas identified by the CDC
  • Anyone who has experienced symptoms within the last 14 days and had direct contact with a person who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19
  • High-risk patients with moderate or severe illness:
  • People over the age of 60
  • People with chronic medical conditions
  • Pregnant women
  • Hospitalized patients with respiratory illness of unknown cause and signs/symptoms consistent with COVID-19
  • Healthcare workers
  • First responders (law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, etc.)
  • Patients in illness clusters in a communal location (schools, shelters, etc.)
  • Prioritized groups may change to fit the situation as the pandemic evolves. You can find more helpful information at nghs.com/covid-19.

ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a non-profit on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. Our team cares for more than 1 million people across the region through four hospitals and a variety of outpatient locations. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has campuses in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder and Dahlonega – with a total of more than 700 beds and more than 1,100 medical staff members representing more than 50 specialties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.

 

NGHS issues guide for visitors, patients and employees

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GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Northeast Georgia Health System has issued this press release to guide visitors at each Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) hospital:

Each patient and visitor will be screened for COVID-19 as they enter. You can see a complete list of open entrances, updated visitation limitations and other helpful information at www.nghs.com/covid-19.

“These simple screening questions will help us protect all of our patients, visitors and employees as we try to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” said Supriya Mannepalli, MD, chair of the Infection Prevention & Control Committee for NGMC. “If a visitor is suspected for COVID-19, we will provide them with next steps to follow for testing.”

Physicians and hospital leadership are reviewing scheduled, elective surgeries. Hospital staff will contact patients if a surgery is canceled. If you have concerns about your scheduled surgery, please contact your physician’s office.

Cafeterias at all NGMC hospitals will continue to serve food, but all dining areas are closed until further notice. That means patients, visitors and employees may purchase food to take back to waiting areas, patient rooms, break rooms, etc.

“These decisions are being made with safety in mind,” says Carol Burrell, president & CEO of NGHS. “Our top priority is always the safety of our patients, visitors, employees, physicians and others who rely on and support NGHS.”

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) was notified today of two confirmed positive tests for COVID-19. Both patients are currently being treated at NGMC Braselton.

“Our physicians, nurses and other staff are following all guidelines from the CDC to provide the best possible care,” says Anthony Williamson, president of NGMC Braselton. “That includes keeping the patients in negative pressure rooms, wearing personal protective equipment and following all recommended cleaning procedures to help keep patients and all others in the hospital safe. People in our community should continue coming to NGMC Braselton for care as they need it.”

If you have a fever and cough or difficulty breathing, these steps will help you find the care you need and limit the spread of COVID-19 in our region:

Call before you come

Please call your doctor’s office or an urgent care clinic for advice about where you should go for treatment.

If you already have an appointment scheduled and have recently traveled to an area affected by Coronavirus, please call the office before you leave your house.

Call 9-1-1 for emergencies

Calling 9-1-1 is always the fastest and most efficient way to get proper treatment for medical emergencies.

Consider staying home and completing an E-Visit

We have updated our online E-Visits to ask screening questions that may indicate if you have Coronavirus.

Just visit www.ngpg.org/evisit-info for instructions about how to complete an E-Visit from the comfort of your home.

ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a non-profit on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. Our team cares for more than 1 million people across the region through four hospitals and a variety of outpatient locations. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has campuses in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder and Dahlonega – with a total of more than 700 beds and more than 1,100 medical staff members representing more than 50 specialties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.

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

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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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New state-approved pilot program allows EMS teams in four counties to provide blood transfusions

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PRESS RELEASE

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) and the Region 2 Regional Trauma Advisory Committee (RTAC) are partnering on new blood transfusion programs that will increase trauma patients’ chances of surviving both in ambulances and at the hospital.

Starting in early 2020, NGMC will be the lead agency in a state-approved pilot program that will allow EMS teams in four counties – Dawson, Habersham, Jackson and White – to provide blood transfusions to patients who need them during long ambulance rides.

“The RTAC team worked for months to create a proposal to develop a pre-hospital blood transfusion program, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to carry out a pilot project in our region,” said Dr. Nathan Creel, a trauma surgeon at NGMC and member of Region 2 RTAC.

“This program is unprecedented in the state of Georgia.”

Currently, in Georgia, only air medical helicopters staffed with a registered nurse and a paramedic can initiate blood transfusions. Unfortunately, occasional bad weather or limited availability mean helicopters aren’t always an option in critical situations.

“The goal of the pilot program is to prove blood products can be safely administered by paramedics in ground ambulances,” said Chad Black, chairman for Region 2 RTAC. “I’m constantly proud of the healthcare workers in our region who go above and beyond to develop new programs to improve patient outcomes. We have no doubt that this program will not only save many lives, but also serve as a model for other regions in our state.”

In addition to the pilot program, NGMC is also among the first hospitals in the state and nation to now offer whole blood transfusions. That means any patient who suffers major blood loss – which can occur during childbirth, surgery, traumatic accidents or various other situations – can be treated with whole blood for increased chance of survival.

Historically, civilian hospitals like NGMC have only provided component blood therapy. Component blood therapy involves separating donated blood into packed red blood cells, plasma and platelets – then transfusing the different components depending on each patient’s specific need. However, military research has found infusing whole blood can improve outcomes for actively hemorrhaging patients.

“Whole blood transfusions are not typically seen in civilian hospitals across the United States, especially in non-urban areas, so we’re proud to offer this life-saving treatment close to home for people in Northeast Georgia,” said Jesse Gibson, trauma program manager for NGMC. “We will still offer component blood therapy as well, which means we have more tools in our arsenal to care for our community.”

NGMC Gainesville is a nationally-verified Level II Trauma Center. Learn more about the advanced services provided, and read an annual report full of stories about real patients whose lives were saved, at www.nghs.com/trauma.

ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER

Since 1951, Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has been on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. With hospitals located in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder and Dahlonega, the four NGMC campuses have a total of more than 700 beds and more than 1100 medical staff members representing more than 50 specialties. NGMC is part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit that cares for more than 1 million people across more than 18 counties. Learn more at www.nghs.com.

 

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

 

UPDATE: Hwy. 53 remains closed after explosives truck overturns

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DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – At a morning press conference, Dawson County Fire Chief and Emergency Services Director Danny Thompson minimized the danger to the public after an explosives truck owned by Austin Powder Company overturned spilling ammonium nitrate onto Dawsonville Highway near Sundown Way.

Two people suffered minor injuries and were transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for treatment. Two others who also suffered minor injuries declined transport.

Thompson said about five-gallons of ammonium nitrated was spilled and was quickly contained without any leaking into nearby Lake Lanier.

Thompson said, “When units from Fire Station 2 arrived on scene at about 5:20 a.m., they determined they were dealing with a petroleum ammonium nitrate product and they called for the necessary remediation companies.”

Thompson said ammonium nitrate is used as an explosive in mining rock quarries but it requires the presence of other elements to detonate it. “It typically requires a one-pound cast booster blasting cap,”  he said. “The companies drill a hole and pack this petroleum-based product into it then apply the one-pound cast booster blasting cap to be able to detonate it. It is a very safe product since it requires various elements for it to become an explosive product. There are no blasting caps on the scene so it is safe in its capacity as is stands right now.”

The incident closed Hwy. 53 between Blue Ridge Overlook and Sundown Way. Thompson said the road will likely remain closed until late afternoon.

A “shelter in place” was issued for Sundown subdivision which is located less than 500 feet from the accident site.

Georgia State Patrol is investigating 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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It’s official: NGHS to build hospital in Lumpkin Co.

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GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) announced plans to offer hospital services at the former home of Chestatee Regional Hospital later this year and begin developing a new replacement hospital along Georgia 400 in Lumpkin County.

“We’re thrilled to share this exciting news, which ensures people in and around Lumpkin County will have local access to the high-quality health care they need for generations to come,” says Carol Burrell, president and CEO of NGHS.  “We appreciate the patience of the community as we’ve worked to create solutions that are high-quality, sustainable, and deliver on our mission to improve the health of the community in all we do.”

“This is an answered prayer for those of us who have lived and worked in Lumpkin County for decades,” says Donna Whitfield, MD, a fifth-generation Dahlonega native and internal medicine physician with Northeast Georgia Physicians Group who has practiced in Lumpkin County for 18 years.  “The roots of NGHS run deep in this area, which it’s helped care for since Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville opened in 1951, and we know there’s no other organization better suited to start a new era of healthcare in this community.”

The NGHS team has already started working to open an emergency department – along with some inpatient beds, imaging equipment and other services – in July 2019 at the existing building that was once home to Chestatee Regional Hospital.  The new hospital facility will be called Northeast Georgia Medical Center Lumpkin, or NGMC Lumpkin for short.  Complete emergency services will be provided 24/7/365 by the same group of physicians that care for emergency patients at all Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) hospitals.

“Our physicians and Lumpkin County EMS already work very closely together, as the majority of emergency trauma, cardiac and stroke patients from the area have been transported to NGMC Gainesville for years,” says Mohak Davé, MD, chief of Emergency Medicine for NGMC.  “Now, we look forward to providing excellent emergency care for people in Lumpkin County and surrounding communities – closer to their homes.”

While offering services at the existing hospital site will preserve the Certificate of Need authority to operate a hospital in Lumpkin County and meet the short-term needs of the community, planning has also begun for a new replacement hospital facility to sit on 57 acres NGHS already owns along Georgia 400, near the intersection with Highway 60.  The new facility is tentatively scheduled to open in 2022 and expected to provide emergency services, inpatient medical/surgical care, imaging services and a focus on outpatient surgery.

“When we recently interviewed and surveyed people in the Lumpkin County area, the overwhelming majority told us three things – they need an emergency room, they want a new hospital that meets the needs of the community, and they trust and prefer Northeast Georgia Health System to care for them,” says Louis Smith, president of Acute and Post-Acute Operations for NGHS.  “We heard them, and we intend to deliver on all three counts.”

The number of beds and operating rooms at the new replacement hospital facility will be determined during the planning process, which will also explore innovative ways to deliver care.

“As the population and needs of this area grow, creating a new healthcare destination presents an opportunity to explore new ideas and expand the way people think about hospitals,” says Dr. Whitfield.  “I’m extremely interested in understanding how we can use digital technology, for things like virtual visits, and involve aspects of integrative medicine which include holistic care for the mind and spirit – not just the body.”

As the transition from the existing hospital facility to the new hospital facility is on the horizon, planning for how the existing facility will be used long-term is also in the works. NGHS currently leases the former Chestatee Regional Hospital property from The University System of Georgia Board of Regents. At some point in the future, the University of North Georgia will likely relocate some of its health sciences programs and services to the property.

“These positive changes in our local healthcare landscape create exciting opportunities to enhance the way we teach and prepare our students,” says Dr. Bonita Jacobs, president of the University of North Georgia (UNG).  “We look forward to the potential to collaborate with NGHS and other local providers.”

Other local leaders are optimistic about other ways a new hospital could impact the community.

“I’ve driven and supported efforts to establish a new hospital in Lumpkin County and expand UNG’s healthcare programs on the Dahlonega campus, in large part because of the role healthcare plays in today’s economics,” says Senator Steve Gooch, a Dahlonega resident and former executive director of Lumpkin County’s Development Authority.  “We’ve all seen the growth and prosperity a new hospital and associated development can bring, and we look forward to working alongside NGHS to build a better future for our community.”

 

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

 

 

Dawson County jailer arrested in Dahlonega

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John Michael Kormos

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – For the second time in eight days, a Dawson County Sheriff’s Office jailer is in trouble with the law.

John Michael Kormos, 30, a detention officer at the Dawson County Detention Center, was arrested in Dahlonega Tuesday and charged with simple battery and reckless conduct following a weekend argument with his estranged wife during which a firearm was discharged.

Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office deputies Jacob Smith, Damon Nix and Jameson Grulla responded to a frantic 9-1-1 call at 218 John Dowdy Road in Dahlonega Saturday during which Erica Christine Vibert, 24, was crying hysterically and claiming that Kormos was attempting to commit suicide.

According to the incident report, as the deputies reached the front door, they could see a man (later identified as Kormos) standing over a woman (identified as Vibert) who was kneeling. Both were ordered to lay face down on the floor.

Once the scene was secure, Kormos told deputies he and Vibert had been separated for a short and they were arguing about her seeing someone else.

Vibert said when she attempted to leave, he went to a room, took out a gun, pointed it at his head and threatened to kill himself. She then attempted to wrestle the firearm away from him and it discharged into the bed. Vibert said Kormos had been taking medication for depression and that he never meant to hurt her.

Deputy Smith said he could smell alcohol on Kormos’ breath and ordered him taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for a mental evaluation while a warrant was taken for his arrest.

Kormos turned himself in at the Lumpkin County Detention Center Tuesday.

 

 

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

 

 

 

Wreck with Entrapment at Ga. 400 and Hwy. 53

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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)

Sugar Hill woman dies in crash on Ga. 400

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DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – A Sugar Hill woman was killed and a Gainesville man injured in a two-vehicle crash near the intersection of Ga. 400 South and Dawsonville Highway today.

Sgt. Casey Coffee, Assistant Commander of Georgia State Patrol Post 37 in Cumming, reports that Sherri Deal, 55, was traveling north on GA 400 in the right lane of the left turns lanes that continue to GA 53 west when she failed to obey the traffic signal and ran a red light.

Her Toyota Prius was struck on the passenger side by a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Benny Smith of Gainesville.

Deal was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NEGMC) in Gainesville where she died of her injuries. Smith was also taken to NEGMC. The extent of his injuries is not known at this time.

 

 

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

 

Charges pending on driver of Malibu that was involved in a four-vehicle crash that injured six

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DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia State Patrol released a report today (June 25) that indicates charges are pending against the driver of a Chevrolet Malibu that was involved in a four-vehicle crash on State Road 53 Thursday that resulted in serious injuries to six people.

Sergeant First Class Curtis W. Bradshaw of the Georgia State Patrol, reports at approximately 5:16 p.m., troopers were dispatched to a multi-vehicle crash on SR 53 near Buddy Burt Road in Dawson County.

A Chevrolet Malibu, driven by 28-year-old Ashley Nicole Jett from Dawsonville, was traveling north on SR 53 in the area of Buddy Burt in the left lane at a high rate of speed. Jett was attempting to negotiate a right hand curve when she lost control of the Malibu on the wet roadway.  The Malibu rotated clockwise before sliding sideways across the centerline into the southbound lane of SR 53.

A Toyota Prius, driven by 45-year-old Christopher Mackey Kelly from Demorest, was traveling south on SR 53 in this same area.  After the Malibu crossed the centerline, the front of the Prius struck the right side of the Malibu.

A Honda Pilot, driven by 49-year old Sarah Elizabeth Griggs from Dawsonville, was traveling south on SR 53 behind the Prius.  After the impact with the Prius, the Malibu rotated counter clockwise and the front of the Malibu struck the front of the Honda Pilot.

A Kia Forte, driven by 38-year-old Clinton Lee Decker from Dawsonville, was traveling north on SR 53 behind the Malibu.  The Forte became involved in the crash when it ran over debris from the crash in the roadway.

Jett and her front seat passenger, 27 year old Robert Wallace from Dawsonville, were both ejected from the Malibu at some point.  Wallace was not wearing his seat belt.  It is believed that Jett was wearing her seat belt, but the seat belt broke resulting in her ejection.  Jett was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. Wallace was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with serious injuries.

Kelly was transported to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta with his seven-year-old son.  The front seat passenger in the Prius, 43 year old Kathryn Kaplan Kelly from Demorest, was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center.  Both were wearing their seat belts.  The seven-year-old male was properly restrained in a child seat.  All three had injuries that were believed to be non-life threatening.

Griggs was wearing her seat belt and was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with what was believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

Decker was wearing his seat belt and was not injured.

The crash occurred just after a rain storm and the roadway was wet at the time of the crash.

Witnesses reported that it appeared that Jett and Wallace may have been arguing or fighting just before the crash.  Witnesses also reported that Jett was driving very fast for the wet road conditions just prior to the crash.

There was no evidence that alcohol or drugs played a part in this crash.

Charges are pending in this 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

 

State Patrol identifies adults injured in Thursday crash on SR 136

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DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – The Georgia State Patrol has identified the adults injured in Thursday’s single-vehicle wreck on SR 136 just west of Eagle Creek Farm Road that sent two adults and three children to the hospital.

SFP Curtis Bradshaw of Post 37 in Cumming said in an email that a 2005 Buick LaCrosse, driven by 38-year-old Michael Don Land of Dawsonville, was traveling west on SR 136 when it veered off the road to the left.  The LaCrosse traveled down a steep embankment and struck some small trees at the bottom of the hill.

Land and an adult passenger, 30-year-old Crystal Gooch of Dawsonville, were taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville for treatment of their injuries.  The driver suffered non-life threatening injuries.  The adult passenger suffered serious injuries.

There were three children, ages 4, 5, and 6, in the vehicle as well.  All three children were taken to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.  Two of the children were transported by helicopter from the scene to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.  The third was initially transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville and then later transferred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.  Two of the children suffered serious injuries.  The third child suffered non-life threatening injuries.

The crash is still under investigation.

 

 

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

 

 

Dawsonville woman injured in Christmas Day wreck

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LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. – A Dawsonville woman was one of five people injured in a two-car crash on SR 400 Christmas Day.

Troopers from the Cumming Post of the Georgia State Patrol were dispatched to the scene and, according to their report, a 2018 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck traveling east on Whelchel Road was attempting to turn left onto SR 400 to travel northbound.  The Tacoma was driven by 28-year-old Jack Smith of Murrayville.  Chelsea Oliver, 21, from Dawsonville, was a passenger in the truck.

A 2001 Mercedes Benz was traveling south on SR 400 in the left lane.  The Mercedes Benz was driven by 21 year-old Brittani Chandler of Cumming.  John Chandler, 28 of Cumming, and 58-year-old George White, of Cumming, were passengers in the Mercedes.

The Tacoma failed to yield to the Mercedes as it entered SR 400. Chandler attempted to brake and swerve to the left to avoid a collision, however, the front of her vehicle stuck the left side of the pickup truck.  The collision occurred in the left southbound lane of SR 400 and the crossover area of the intersection.

All persons were transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for medical evaluation and treatment.  None of the injuries appeared to be life threatening.

All persons but White were wearing their seatbelts.  Air bag deployment was present in both vehicles.

Alcohol and drugs were not a factor in this crash and distracted driving did not appear to be a factor.

Smith was cited for failing to yield after stopping at a stop sign.

 

 

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

 

 

Jasper Woman Dies in Dawson County Wreck

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DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – A Jasper woman was killed and a two-year-old girl is believed to be in critical condition following a single-vehicle accident on Hwy. 53 Wednesday east of Dawsonville.

Georgia State Patrol reports that 69-year-old Frances Louise Duncan was killed when the 2009 Kia Sportage she was driving failed to negotiate a left-hand curve, traveled off the south shoulder and into a ditch, striking the embankment of a deep drainage culvert. The vehicle then overturned with the front and hood area against the embankment and the rear of the vehicle facing up. Duncan was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.

An unidentified two-year-old female was also in the vehicle and she was transported by Emergency Management Services to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, where she was believed to be in critical condition, before being airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for treatment.

 

 

 

 

One Killed, Four Injured in Crash on Lumpkin Campground Road on 4th of July

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DAWSONVILE, Ga. – A Suwanee teenager was killed and four other people injured in a two-car crash Wednesday at 9:25 p.m. on Lumpkin Campground Road at the intersection of Industrial Park Road.

Killed in the accident was 15-year-old Eliza Farrell, a passenger in a 2006 Acura TSX that was struck on the passenger’s side by a 2011 Dodge Ram truck driven by Brayden Lewis Clark, 21, of Loganville.

According to a report by the Georgia State Patrol, Clark was traveling south on Lumpkin Campground Road and failed to stop at the four-way stop sign at the intersection of Industrial Park Road. The Acura was traveling west on Industrial Park.

Clark and three others, who were not identified, were, transported by Dawson County Emergency Services to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville in undetermined condition.

Fetch Your News will have more details when they become available.

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. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

Plane Crashes at Atlanta Motorsports Park

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Private plane crashed today at Atlanta Motorsports Park.

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — A single-engine plane crashed at Atlanta Motorsports Park in Dawson County today (Oct. 30) at approximately 8:30 a.m.

Dawson County Deputy Public Safety Director Tim Satterfield  said the unidentified pilot was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville where he is believed to be in serious but stable condition. He was the only occupant of the aircraft. No passengers on the ground were injured.

Satterfield said the Piper took off from the Gainesville airport and was en route to Chicago when the plane experienced mechanical problems and the cockpit began to fill with smoke.

Fetch Your News will have more details as they become available.

 

 

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. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

 

Shooting at LongHorn Steakhouse Accidental

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DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Dawson County investigators believe the shooting in the parking lot of LongHorn Steakhouse restaurant on Ga. 400 Monday afternoon was an accident.

In an email, Dawson County Sheriff-elect Major Jeff Johnson said, “The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 911 call reporting an accidental gunshot wound. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers encountered the victim, 21-year-old Michael Gilbert of Dawsonville.”

Johnson said Gilbert and his mother, Diana Cleghorn, were parked in the LongHorn parking lot, when (according to the victim) he attempted to unload a weapon, an older model Walther .32 semi-automatic pistol, when he accidentally fired the weapon several times. Two of the expended rounds struck the victim in his left thigh area. Other rounds lodged in the vehicle’s door.

“Initial inquiries by Dawson County Investigators indicate that the weapon discharge was consistent with the evidence and victim/witness statements,” Johnson said. .”Although no current charges are filed at this time, the case is still under investigation.”

Gilbert was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.

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