This Memorial Day weekend, a Newton County man is celebrating his escape from serious injury after his car flipped over into a ravine in a single-car accident Friday morning.

 Edward Cunard of Covington was driving east on Brown Bridge Road around 9 a.m. in a grey Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera when he lost control of the vehicle, he said.

 The 44-year-old, who was wearing a seatbelt, said he had recently been on pain medication and didn't remember the moments after he lost control.

 The car went off the road into the brambles of a steep ditch, ending up flipped over on its top.

 An off-duty DeKalb County fireman happened to see the scene and was the first to respond, quickly followed by emergency medical personnel, the Covington Fire Department and Newton County Fire Department, according to a CFD report.

 The driver was extricated from the crushed vehicle by CPD firefighters and emergency personnel and life-flighted to Grady Memorial Hospital.

 Cunnard reported that, despite pain and deep bruising on his shoulder, he had no broken bones and seemed otherwise OK.

 He anticipated being released as of Saturday.

 "I'm just thankful I'm alive," he said. His family had viewed what was left of the car and said they couldn't believe he was able to come out with only minor injuries, he said.