Thomas County sees second deadly accident within 24 hours

September 19, 2018

THOMAS COUNTY, Ga. (WCTV) -- The Georgia State Patrol is investigating a second deadly crash in Thomas County within 24 hours.

GSP troopers and Thomas County deputies responded to mile marker 17 on Highway 319 North around 6:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Investigators say a car struck a bicyclist on the right side of the road heading north. The impact killed 47-year-old David Newman.

Local businesses off Highway 319 say they see a lot of heavy traffic, speeding and people walking and bicycling on the side of the road.

"People need to slow down," said Justin Long, owner of Premium Automotive and Scooter Repair.

He says he's watched several accidents on Highway 319.

"There's a lot of houses around here and businesses where people are constantly pulling out of," said Long.

He was shocked to hear that the latest accident was deadly, and involved a bicyclist hit just up the road.

"I see them every day. People walking back and forth from that store or riding bicycles," said Long.

Many off the road have been looking for a solution, like reducing the speed or adding more patrol.

"It's the best thing that can happen for this highway or the same thing is going to happen over and over again," said Long.

"Unfortunately, we have a really, really big problem with people being distracted now these days," said Sgt. James Miller, the Georgia State Patrol Post Commander in Thomasville.

Local businesses aren't the only ones to notice a problem; public safety is requesting more help from the community.

"Everyone out there using Georgia roads needs to pay attention as much as they can. Stay off the phone and don't be distracted. Arrive home safely," said Miller.

He says the community needs to work together to keep roads safe. GSP says it's already worked more than 20 deadly wrecks in its four-county region.

The crash marked the

in Thomas County in less than 24 hours. Tuesday morning, a 22-year-old man was killed when his vehicle left the roadway on Highway 33, just north of Pavo.

The Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is investigating both fatal accidents.

September 19, 2018

THOMAS COUNTY, Ga. (WCTV) -- The Georgia State Patrol is investigating another fatal crash in Thomas County, this one involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.

GSP troopers and deputies with the Thomas County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene on Highway 319 North around 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Troopers say 42-year-old David Newman was walking with a bicycle or cycling in the area of Hubbard Lane near mile marker 17 when he was hit by a vehicle. Newman was pronounced dead at the scene.

GSP's Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is investigating the crash.

The crash marked the

in Thomas County in less than 24 hours. Tuesday morning, a 22-year-old man was killed when his vehicle left the roadway on Highway 33, just north of Pavo.