Rabun Co. teen killed in Sunday wreck

CLAYTON -- A Rabun County teen died in a single-vehicle wreck early Sunday near Clayton.

Trooper 1st Class John Crawford said Brandon Helmut Wales, 17, of Clayton was driving a 2008 Toyota Tacoma four-door pickup truck south on Luther Watts Road at 12:50 a.m. when the wreck occurred.

For a reason still under investigation, Wales began to back the truck "up Luther Watts Road at a high rate of speed," Crawford said. "The truck got crossed up, he lost control and struck an embankment with the truck's rear."

Crawford said the truck overturned, partially ejecting Wales out the driver's side window, then the truck rolled over onto him.

Neither he nor his female passenger, 18-year-old Sarah Lakota English of Clayton, was wearing a seatbelt when the wreck occurred.

Wales was pronounced dead at Mountain Lakes Medical Center in Clayton.

Crawford said the wreck occurred hours after Rabun County High School held its
Homecoming dance, though he wasn't sure Wales and English had attended.

"Alcohol is suspected," Crawford said, adding the investigation continues into why the truck was backing up at a high rate of speed, which was the contributing factor to the wreck.

Funeral services for Wales will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Beck Funeral Home Chapel in Clayton.