This Ford van from Camp Creek Baptist Church was struck in the rear shortly after 6 p.m. Friday outside Clarkesville. (Photo/Rob Moore)
CLARKESVILLE – Five people were hurt in a two-vehicle wreck involving a church van near Clarkesville Friday night.
A 1998 Ford Superwagon van driven by Jerry Wayne Culpepper of Cornelia, registered to Camp Creek Baptist Church of Cornelia, was struck in the rear by a 2001 International rollback truck driven by Jerry Lee Pickett of Clarkesville.
Trooper 1st Class Casey Coffee said the church van was traveling north on Georgia 17 and had stopped to turned left onto Georgia 255 (Blue Creek Road).
“The rollback truck was following too closely and struck it [the van] in the rear,” Coffee said.
Culpepper was injured and was taken by ambulance to Habersham Medical Center in Demorest.
Passengers in the van who were hurt in the collision included William Lee Meeks of Mt. Airy, Jerry Smith of Cornelia, and Bryan Bennett of Demorest.
Pickett, who complained of injury at the scene, was cited for following too closely, Coffee said. He was not taken by ambulance and drove his truck from the scene. His passenger, Judy Pickett was not hurt.
