A Mount Airy man is facing a DUI charge after a Monday morning two-vehicle accident on GA 385 in Clarkesville killed a five-year-old boy and seriously injured a Clarkesville man.
According to a press release from the Georgia State Patrol, 35-year-old Gregory Brandon Thompson was driving south on GA 385 at 9:44 a.m. with 5-year-old Maximus Thompson in the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle then crossed over the centerline of the road, striking a second vehicle head-on.
The second vehicle was being driven by Donald Wayne Preece, age 78 of Clarkesville.
According to Habersham County Emergency Services Director Chad Black, authorities requested Air Life after they found Maximus Thompson unresponsive with critical injuries. The Air Life Helicopter requested to meet the ambulance at the Habersham County Medical Center, but Maximus Thompson did not survive and was pronounced dead at the Medical Center, Black said.
According to Black, Gregory Thompson was initially transported to Habersham County Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. However, Black said Gregory Thompson's condition later deteriorated and he was transferred by helicopter to Northeast Georgia Medical Center. The driver of the second vehicle, Preece, was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with serious injuries, according to Black.
The press release from the Georgia State Patrol states Gregory Thompson is charged with DUI, DUI Child Endangerment, Serious Injury, Homicide by vehicle 1st, Child Restraint, Due Care, Failure to Maintain Lane and Driving on the wrong side of the Roadway.
Units with Habersham County Emergency Services, Clarkesville Fire Department, Clarkesville Police Department, Georgia State Patrol and Habersham County Sheriff’s Department all responded to the scene.
The accident is still under investigation by the State Patrol.
