A single-vehicle wreck in Franklin County left one person dead and four others injured on Wednesday afternoon.
Toccoa resident Jimmy Tate, 73, was identified as the person killed in the accident, which occurred on GA 59 near One Mile Lane just before 3 p.m.
"A white 2013 Chevrolet Express van was traveling north on GA 59," said State Patrol Sgt. J.R. Dean on Wednesday night. "The Chevrolet traveled off the east shoulder of the roadway and struck a tree with its front."
The driver of the vehicle, 48-year-old Lavonia resident Marcus L. Johnson, suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash, as did three passengers who were riding in the back seat.
All four were transported from the scene to St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia for treatment.
Sgt. Dean said that Tate, who was the front seat passenger, was trapped inside the vehicle after the collision. After being freed from the wreckage, he was also transported to St. Mary’s Sacred Heart, where he was pronounced dead.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and the State Patrol would make no further comment regarding any potential charges.
