UPDATE:  Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 5:50 a.m.

Authorities with Georgia State Patrol (GSP) have identified the victims from a two vehicle collision in Carnesville on Monday afternoon which claimed the life of one person and left three others seriously injured.

A press release Tuesday evening from the GSP said that on Monday, May 4, 2026 at around 4:35 p.m. troopers from Post 52 (Hartwell) responded to the crash on Stone Bridge Road near Andrews Road in Franklin County.  The preliminary crash investigation revealed a silver 2018 Dodge Challenger was traveling west on Stone Bridge Road, and a red 2010 Ford Fusion was traveling east.  The driver of the Challenger failed to maintain her proper lane and traveled over the centerline.  The front of Challenger struck the front of Fusion in the eastbound lane of Stone Bridge Road.

The GSP added that after impact, both vehicles spun out of control.  The driver of the Challenger, identified as 66-year-old Debra Ann Smith of Carnesville, suffered serious injuries and was life flighted to Greenville Memorial Hospital in South Carolina.  The driver of the Fusion, identified as 19-year- old Zoie Marie Atkinson of Carnesville, was pronounced deceased at the crash scene. Two rear occupants of the Fusion, both juveniles, suffered serious injuries.  One juvenile was life flighted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Medical Center and the other juvenile passenger was transported by Franklin County EMS to Greenville Memorial Hospital.

No driver impairment is suspected, and all associated charges are pending at this time.

Original Post:  Tuesday, May 5, 2026 @ 5:30 a.m.

A crash on Monday afternoon at the crossing of two side roads in Franklin County leads to one fatality with other multiple injuries.

A press release from Georgia State Patrol (GSP) said, Troopers from the Hartwell post responded to a two vehicle crash on Stone Bridge Road near Andrews Road in Carnesville just after 4:35 p.m. Monday, May 4.  Officials said late Monday night that the crash investigation remained under investigation, but that they could can confirm one fatal injury and three serious injuries occurred.

GSP's Troop B Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT) was on scene assisting with the crash investigation into the early evening hours Monday.  The Franklin County Sheriff's Office reported that the roadway was shut down for hours following the crash.  No further details have been released as of this publication.