Franklin County Deputy Sheriff William “Bill” Garner, 53, died when he was struck by a vehicle on Interstate 85 near Carnesville Sunday night.
Garner had been with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for just over one year and leaves behind his wife, parents, and a brother, said Sheriff’s Maj. Chris Looney.
Abdulhafiz Tawfik Abdullahi, 21, of Lawrenceville was driving a 2018 Honda Accord south on Interstate 85 when the driver lost control and exited the travel lanes into the median, striking Garner, according to the Georgia State Patrol.
Garner was transported to St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia, where he died from the injuries, Looney said.
Garner was assisting the occupants of a single-vehicle wreck on I-85 at mile marker 164 at the time he was struck.
Abdullahi was not hurt and has been charged by GSP with first-degree vehicular homicide and is being held at the Franklin County Detention Center awaiting a first-appearance hearing.
The GSP Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is investigating. Additional charges are pending.
