Tree saves Toccoa man from icy plunge

TOCCOA - A well-placed tree likely saved an 18-year-old Toccoa man from an icy plunge into a creek after his car went over an embankment.

Wesley Keesler was one of two drivers involved in a two-vehicle accident Monday. The other driver, Timothy Ivester, says Keesler's Eagle Talon edged into his lane while rounding a curve and sideswiped Ivester's pickup truck.

Ivester's truck stopped on the side of the road. But Keesler's car ended up on a steep bank and was stopped by a tree from going all the way down a 10-foot drop into a creek.

First responder Ken Struble says when he arrived Keesler already was out of his car.

Keesler was taken to Stephens County Hospital with injuries. He has been charged with failure to maintain lane.