Georgia roads claimed at least 14 lives over the Christmas holiday, with fatal crashes spanning various counties, including Fulton, Cobb, Cherokee, Paulding, and notable cities such as Atlanta, Albany, and Newnan. Between Friday, Dec. 22 at 6 p.m., and the close of Tuesday, Dec. 26, the state saw a spate of tragedy as reported by the FOX 5 Atlanta and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Georgia Department of Public Safety put forth the initial count which may climb as further details emerge.
These incidents included varying circumstances, like, a Louisiana man who perished in an ATV accident near Kennesaw and a Florida woman killed in a head-on collision in Cherokee County. The 66-year-old ATV rider, Lionel Berthelot, apparently lost control and succumbed to the vehicle's weight, as described in a report obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In another incident, 71-year-old Vickie Walker tragically died after her Lexus was struck by a pickup truck whose teen driver suffered only minor injuries.
These sobering totals surpassed last year's count of 13 fatalities, yet were fewer than the 16 in 2021. Looking ahead, law enforcement officials are gearing up for the New Year’s weekend, starting Friday, Dec. 29, and running through Jan. 2, hoping to keep the roads safer through increased patrols and enforcement.
Georgia DPS Commissioner Colonel Billy Hitchens emphasized the holiday season's social nature, which often involves alcohol consumption. He implored people to “Always have a plan to have a sober driver to help make our roads safer for everyone," echoing his words to FOX 5 Atlanta. With rideshare options aplenty, there's no excuse for impaired driving, he added, warning that those caught would face arrest.
