TOCCOA — A Martin man lost his life when his motorcycle was involved in a two-vehicle wreck in Stephens County Saturday morning.
Michael James Stewart, 26, succumbed to his injuries after his motorcycle struck the rear of a truck driven by Russel Doyt Childs, 49, of Lavonia abut 7:20 a.m. near Eastanollee, according to Trooper 1st Class Aaron Walden of Georgia State Patrol Post 7 in Toccoa.
Stewart’s motorcycle was traveling north in the left lane of Ga. 17 north of Scott Road, while Childs’ vehicle also was traveling north in the left lane of Ga. 17 and was ahead of the motorcycle, Walden said.
"The driver of vehicle 2 [Childs] stated he had changed lanes into the right lane of Ga. 17 north and was struck in the rear by vehicle 1 [the motorcycle],” Walden said. “He also stated that after being struck he looked back and he saw two vehicles stopping so he was going to continue on to work and then call to report the accident. However, our investigation, along with witness statements, indicate that vehicle 2 was in the left lane at the time of impact and had not changed lanes into the right lane at the time of impact.”
Walden said witness statements indicate the motorcycle attempted to change lanes to the right lane and struck the right rear corner of Childs’ truck with its front.
The motorcycle then overturned onto its right side and slid off onto the east shoulder of the highway, striking a guardrail face before coming to rest under the guardrail on its right side facing east, Walden said.
Stewart came to rest about six feet south of the motorcycle on the east shoulder of the road, according to Walden.
Childs left the scene, but was stopped on Big A Road shortly after the wreck occurred, Walden said.
Charges are pending in the wreck, according to Walden.
