A Gainesville man is charged with driving under the influence following a 5-vehicle crash that snarled traffic on U.S. 129/Cleveland Highway in Hall County Tuesday morning, authorities said.
Officers got the initial call to the crash on the Longstreet Bridge around 6:58 a.m., according to Georgia State Patrol SFC Anthony Coleman.
Mike Minor, 46, allegedly lost control of his 2007 Chevrolet Silverado Pickup truck while headed north on 129. According to Coleman, the truck crossed the centerline, hit the mirror of an SUV and subsequently sideswiped a car and another SUV. The pickup then hit a 2013 Toyota Corolla head-on.
Three of the drivers, including Minor, suffered injuries and were transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Authorities identified the other injured parties as Tammy Byrd, 45, of Cleveland and Joseph Hooper, 53, of Dahlonega.
Coleman characterized all of the injuries as not serious.
In addition to DUI, Minor is charged with failure to maintain lane, according to Coleman.
The crash caused a traffic nightmare for motorists headed into Gainesville along the busy corridor. Alternate routes around the bridge, including Clarks Bridge and Thompson Bridge roads, quickly became congested. Coleman said north and southbound lanes of 129 were closed for roughly 45 minutes.
The accident happened just south of the Gainesville state patrol post.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/8/568389/man-charged-with-dui-in-cleveland-highway-crash