A Friday evening drive on Old Augusta Road South in Effingham County ended in tragedy when a head-on collision left a 47-year-old father dead and a community reeling.
Deputies say a Ford Escape crossed the center line and slammed into a Chevrolet Silverado, trapping the pickup’s driver, Michael Sharpe, inside the wreckage. Fire crews pulled Sharpe from the truck, and he was rushed to a hospital, where he later died of his injuries. The Escape’s driver was also hospitalized and, according to deputies, tried to leave before doctors discharged him. He was arrested at the hospital. Sharpe’s death has stunned the small community and left his wife and two young children suddenly facing life without him.
Authorities have identified the Escape’s driver as 27-year-old Deiby Jhonatan Janamejoy Jansasoy, a Colombian national, and federal officials say he is in the country illegally. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Jansasoy entered the United States through the southern border on Dec. 15, 2023, was released into the country, and later failed to appear for immigration proceedings. An immigration judge issued a final order of removal on April 17, 2026, and federal officials say he was wanted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the time of his arrest, according to WJCL.
What Investigators Say Happened
The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office says early findings from the crash investigation show the Ford Escape crossed the center line on Old Augusta Road South and hit Sharpe’s Silverado head-on. Investigators say Jansasoy was taken to a hospital for treatment and that he was taken into custody after he tried to leave before being formally discharged.
Jansasoy has been charged with homicide by vehicle in the first degree, reckless driving, DUI, failure to maintain lane, and driving while unlicensed. Officials have cautioned that the charges could be amended as the investigation continues, according to WTOC.
Family, Loss, And A Community Fundraiser
Sharpe’s family has launched a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs and day-to-day expenses as his wife and two children try to navigate their sudden loss. Local coverage has shared photos from the sheriff’s office and highlighted neighbors’ memories of Sharpe as a devoted dad who centered his life on his kids, according to WSB‑TV. Friends, coworkers, and neighbors are organizing memorial efforts and pitching in to support the family as bills and grief arrive at the same time.
Legal And Immigration Fallout
On top of the state criminal case, Jansasoy’s immigration record adds another complicated layer. A final order of removal means federal authorities have the power to seek his detention and deportation even as local charges move forward in state court.
The Executive Office for Immigration Review notes that when someone fails to show up for immigration court, judges can issue what is called an in absentia removal order. That order carries its own set of legal consequences, separate from any state criminal charges, according to the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Local officials say the criminal investigation is still active and that any transfer to federal custody will depend on decisions by prosecutors and detention authorities.
The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have seen the crash or who has video from the area to contact investigators, as reported by WTOC. Prosecutors will determine how the case proceeds in state court while federal immigration officials weigh their own next steps.
