Print

Identities released in fatal crash along Highway 53 in Jackson County

By Steve Winslow Anchor/Reporter
Posted 4:05PM on Monday 25th August 2025 ( 1 day ago )
Update as of Monday, Aug. 25, 2025 @ 4 p.m.: 
 
The Georgia State Patrol has released the initial details from its investigation into the Monday morning wreck that left a driver dead in Jackson County. 
 
The agency said Monday afternoon that a  2011 Ford Super Duty pickup truck was traveling east on SR 53 near Church Street. At the same time, a  2006 Mercury Grand Marquis was traveling west on SR 53 near Church Street.
 
 The Ford pickup reportedly crossed the centerline and struck the Mercury head-on in the westbound travel lane. 
 
The driver of the Grand Marquis, identified as Mr. Matthew Roark, age 57 of Bogart, was killed  as a result of the crash. The occupants of the Ford Super Duty fled the scene and were later apprehended and taken to Jackson County Jail with minor injuries. 
 
The driver of the Super Duty was identified as Wilber Mejia-Bonilla, age 23, from Gainesville, GA, and the passenger was Mauro Zapata-Morado, age 33, from Mexico. 

UPDATE: Monday, August 25, 2025 @ 8:20 a.m.:

Jackson County Sheriff Kevin McCook says that all travel lanes have been reopened following the early morning crash that blocked Highway 53 in Hoschton today.

Sheriff McCook tells AccessWDUN that Deputies responded to the scene where a vehicle crossed the centerline of Highway 53 at Church St and collided with a Mercury Grand Marquis killing the driver (the only occupant). The driver and passenger of the suspect vehicle fled the scene on foot. One was caught after a short man hunt and the other was apprehended several hours later with the help of citizens. Banks County Sheriff’s office and Commerce PD provided K9 assistance.  West Jackson Fire responded as well.  Both subjects were taken to the Jackson County Jail.  The crash scene was turned over to the Georgia State Patrol. 

The GSP's Courtney Lund said in the past  half-hour that this is an active investigation and that they will update AccessWDUN once they receive an update.

 All lanes were reopened just after 8:00 a.m.


Original Post: Monday, August 25, 2025 @ 7:23 a.m.:

An early morning crash in Jackson County on Monday has fatal results, with an ongoing investigation with local public safety departments.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) and West Jackson Fire Department's (WJFD) social media pages advised commuters to seek alternate routes along Highway 53 due to the wreck. 

Officials responded to the scene of the crash just after 2:30 a.m, but further details behind what caused the accident were not released. 

The WJFD post advised area commuters that Highway 53 at West Jackson Villas Apartments had all lanes blocked.

The post also indicated that the roadway would be blocked through at least 7:00 a.m. due to the crash scene.

There was no word at of the time of this publication on how many vehicles were involved or what may have triggered the crash. 

Wilber Anderson Mejia-Bonilla, age 23 of Gainesville (left) and Mauro Antonio Zapata-Morado, age 33 of Mexico (right)

http://accesswdun.com/article/2025/8/1299175/fatal-crash-and-investigation-blocks-traffic-on-highway-53-in-jackson-county

© Copyright 2015 AccessNorthGa.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.