A Gainesville woman killed in a two-vehicle collision on Cleveland Highway north of Gainesville Sunday night was a lieutenant with the Hall County Sheriff's Office.
Lt. Stephanie Hollingsworth has worked for the sheriff's office since 1989, first as a secretary and then rising through the ranks to serve in the agency's Office of Professional Standards.
"She was a dear friend and co-worker for more than three decades," Sheriff Gerald Couch said in a Monday afternoon social media post. "We will miss her dearly and offer our prayers and complete support for her family."
Sgt. Auston Allen with Georgia State Patrol Post 6 said the fatal accident was reported at 6:56 p.m. Sunday.
"The investigation revealed that a 1994 Ford Ranger was being driven by a 16-year-old female from Hall County," Allen said in an email statement. "The Ford Ranger was traveling north on GA 11 [Cleveland Highway] when it traveled off the east shoulder of the roadway."
The driver over-corrected, according to Allen, and then traveled across the center line of the highway and struck a southbound vehicle head-on.
"The southbound vehicle was a 2001 Subaru Forester...the driver of the Subaru Forester was Mr. Tony Hollingsworth, 62, of Gainesville. The passenger of the Subaru Forester was Mrs. Stephanie Hollingsworth, 52, of Gainesville," Allen said.
Lt. Hollingsworth died at the scene of the crash, Allen said.
Both Tony Hollingsworth and the teenage driver were injured and taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
Allen said all of those involved were wearing seatbelts. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected in the crash.
Allen said the name of the 16-year-old driver has not been released. He said charges are pending in the crash.
