One killed, two airlifted in Rabun County wreck

CLAYTON – A Tennessee man was killed and two South Carolina residents were flown from the scene of a head-on wreck east of Clayton Tuesday afternoon.

According to Trooper 1st Class Jesse Lewis of the Georgia State Patrol, the wreck happened in the eastbound lane of Georgia Highway 2 (U.S. Highway 76 East) just before Chechero Fire Department.

Lewis said a 2012 Chevrolet Impala was traveling westbound on Georgia 2, and a 2005 Dodge Ram was traveling eastbound on Georgia 2.

“Basically what happened is vehicle 1, the Impala, for some unknown reason crossed the center line, striking vehicle 2, which is the Dodge Ram, head-on,” Lewis said.

The wreck happened near New Hope Church Road, Lewis said.

After impact, “the Dodge Ram traveled off the embankment, ejecting the driver,” Lewis said. “The driver of the Impala was wearing his seatbelt, but was fatally injured. The driver and the passenger of the Dodge Ram, vehicle 2 – neither one of them was wearing a seatbelt and they were both airlifted to an Asheville hospital in North Carolina.”

Lewis said names of those involved are being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.