In a late-night incident that could have ended far worse, a Twiggs County deputy's vehicle was struck by a GMC Yukon after its driver dozed off and ran a stop sign. According to a statement obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta, the collision occurred just after 11 p.m. on April 16 as the driver exited Interstate 16 westbound at Exit 24, veering into the path of the deputy's Ford F-150 on Highway 96. Both the driver and a female passenger were taken to the hospital with minor complaints while the deputy managed to escape unscathed thanks to the airbag deployment.
Officials highlighted the grave risks of drowsy driving following the event emphasizing it can impair judgment and increase the chances of a crash, in a statement to WSB-TV, "Please, always pull off the roadway if you are feeling sleepy and if you have a licensed passenger, ask them to take over driving while you rest" drowsy driving is nearly akin to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics from 2023 cited by the Twiggs County Sheriff's Office frame drowsy driving as a potentially deadly behavior with 633 fatalities resulting from such crashes that year. With instances like this latest near-miss bringing the hazard to the forefront, officials are sounding the alarm on taking necessary safety precautions when fatigued behind the wheel.
The identities of the involved parties have not been disclosed yet, nor have officials commented on whether the drowsy driver will face any charges. However, the sheriff's office expressed gratitude that no serious injuries resulted from the collision. The TCSO underscored the importance of road safety with an advisory to motorists: If you see something, say something—it may save an accident or even lives. This serves as a reminder of the community-based approach to preventing such dangerous situations from arising in the first place.
