One person is recovering from serious injuries, while two others sustained minor injuries from a multiple vehicle crash in White County which involved a Cleveland Fire Department vehicle Friday night.
A Georgia State Patrol (GSP) release on Saturday said that on the previous night, Friday, May 9, a trooper from Gainesville brracks responded to a multi-vehicle crash on State Route 115 (Dahlonega Highway) and Tesnatee Gap Valley Road in White County. Upon arrival and investigation, it was determined that a Lexus NX200, driven by 74-year old Dorothy Carolyn Lanier of Cleveland, was traveling east on SR 115 in the left turn lane for Tesnatee Gap Valley Road. A Ford Focus, driven by 62-year old Nancy Smith from Dahlonega, was traveling west on SR 115 approaching the intersection of Tesnatee Gap Valley Road. A City of Cleveland Fire Department apparatus was stopped, facing south, on Tesnatee Gap Valley Road, waiting to turn left onto SR 115. The fire truck was being operated by 31-year old John Sovine of Cleveland, and not utilizing emergency equipment.
The GSP release said Lanier believed the approaching Focus was in the right turn-only lane for Tesnatee Gap Valley Rd, so she began with her left turn. Lanier reportedly failed to yield the right of way and her Lexus was struck in the front right by the Focus. After the initial impact, the Ford was pushed to the north and struck the front left tire of the fire truck, which was still stopped at the stop sign.
GSP said Smith was transported from the scene by EMS for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Sovine was uninjured. Lanier and her passenger, 59-year old Joseph Lanier of Cleveland, had complaints of injury but declined transportation by EMS.
Officials say Lanier was cited for Failure to Yield while Turning Left.
