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Three wrecks in a week exact a toll
By Ross Willis
Thursday, February 21, 2008 12:00 PM EST
The Toccoa Record
Three automobile accidents in Stephens County over the last seven days snarled traffic, injured three people and cost a local woman her life.
In the first accident, according to Georgia State Patrol Toccoa Post 7 officers, Alphonso Harris of Ft. Valley was heading southbound on Highway 17 in Martin at approximately 5:24 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14, when he lost control of his 2007 International tractor-trailer and overturned.
The 36-year-old Harris’ rig flipped onto the driver’s side and struck a railroad crossing post, according to troopers.
Harris wasn’t injured in the accident, but troopers did cite him for driving too fast for conditions and failing to maintain his lane.
The accident had traffic slowed on the highway for several hours.
In the second accident of the week-long period, three vehicles collided on Rock Creek Road at approximately 12:36 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. Ruth Eichler, 74, of Martin, who was driving a 2003 Saturn, was killed in the collision, according to troopers.
Sandra Lee Holcomb, 70, of Toccoa, was driving a 1996 Ford Explorer, and Bonnie Lynn Phillips, 45, of Martin, was driving a 2001 Dodge Intrepid, troopers said, and both were injured.
Troopers said the accident remains under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT), and they couldn’t release any additional information about the wreck until that investigation is complete.
On Monday, Feb. 18, 21-year-old James Vincent Hollifield, of Martin, was injured when he wrecked his 1989 Ford F-250 truck at approximately 11:07 p.m. on Highway 17.
According to troopers, Hollifield was traveling southbound on Highway 17 in Eastanollee near the Ogg’s Branch area when he lost control.
He traveled into the northbound lane, struck a bridge rail, traveled onto the eastern shoulder of the roadway and overturned.
Reports indicate Hollifield was flown by helicopter to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries following the crash.
No charges had been filed against Hollifield as of press time.
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