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GSP reverses findings in crash
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The Georgia State Patrol has reversed its findings in the Sept. 2 fatality crash that killed drivers Kati Womack, 21, of Oxford and Trinity Campbell, 39, of Monticello.

The crash occurred around 11:19 p.m. on Henderson Mill Road in Jasper County, just across the Newton County line.

Trooper Tom Bailey, who first worked the scene, initially said Womack appeared to have caused the accident; however, after returning to the scene with more officers, Bailey wrote in the traffic crash report that it appeared Campbell had in fact caused the accident by driving into Womack's lane.

In the report, Campbell is listed as having exceeded the posted speed limit and failing to stay in the proper lane; no contributing actions are attributed to Womack.

According to the report, Campbell lost control of his Buick LeSabre while traveling around a curve and traveled into Womack's lane while rotating clockwise. Womack's Jeep Cherokee then hit the driver's side of Campbell's car and both cars caught on fire. Both drivers were killed.

The two men who first arrived at the scene said they couldn't help the victims because the fire was too intense, according to the report; the men called 911 at 11:19 p.m.

Womack was apparently driving home from her work, The Retreat Nursing Home in Monticello, while Campbell was apparently returning to Monticello after having purchased groceries in Covington, the report states.

Members of the Georgia State Patrol's Special Collision Reconstruction Team assisted Bailey in the investigation, but spokeswoman Franka Young said Thursday that the team was still investigating the accident.

Trooper Bailey's initial comments were printed in the Sept. 5 edition of The Covington News.

 

April 3 crash kills two young adults, injures third
Newton County Sheriff Car---WEB

NEWTON COUNTY — Around 10 a.m. on Thursday, a head-on collision on Highway 212 left two young adults dead and a third hospitalized.

Joe Navarro, 21, was driving the vehicle and Breanna Smith, 18, was in the passenger seat. Katie New, 20, sat between them.

According to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle lost control while going around a curve and crossed the centerline, where it collided head-on with a box truck. The crash report shows that their vehicle traveled another hundred feet after impact before coming to a stop. It spun, ended up facing the opposite direction on the shoulder of the opposite lane.

Navarro and Smith were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. New was airlifted to Grady Hospital. Her current condition is not known. 

Navarro, Smith and New were not believed to be wearing seatbelts when the collision occurred.

The driver of the box truck was not reported to have suffered any injuries.

This is an ongoing story. The News will post updates as they are made available.