Those trying to get an early start on their holiday travel via Ga. 365 in Stephens County likely faced frustration Friday afternoon as a portion of the highway was shut down due to a crash.
The wreck occurred at 2:03 p.m. and involved an overturned sport utility vehicle and a motorcycle.
A 1999 Toyota 4Runner driven by Rachel Lee Rogers, 39, of Cleveland was traveling south in the left southbound lane of Ga. 365 when the right rear re-tread tire on her vehicle came off, causing the vehicle to go out of control, said Sgt. 1st Class Chad Johnson of Georgia State Patrol Post 7 in Toccoa.
The SUV rotated and traveled into the median, then re-entered the road on the northbound side and began overturning onto its passenger side, Johnson said. As the SUV's right rear side impacted it pavement it was struck by a 2015 Harley-Davidson motorcycle operated by Perry Lee Tillman, 57, of Crestview, Fla.
The SUV came to rest in the road facing west, while the motorcycle overturned onto its left side and ejected Tillman a short distance away.
Tillman was taken by ambulance to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for what Johnson said appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.
"He was very lucky," Johnson said.
Rogers was taken by ambulance to Stephens County Hospital, where she was treated and released.
Johnson said the tire appeared to be an almost new re-tread, adding speed didn't appear to be a factor. Several witnesses remained on scene after the crash.
No citations were issued.
The wreck occurred prior to the holiday traffic count, which begins at 6 p.m.
