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By Editor Becky Watts
MOLENA - On Tuesday, December 20, 2022 around 4:46 p.m., a wreck occurred at mile marker 27 on State Route 18 in Molena. Two vehicles were involved, and two people were transported to the hospital. Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Trooper David Rivera from Post 34 received the information and wrote the report.
According to the accident report, a 2019 Dodge Ram 3500 driven by 36 year old Timothy Thomas of Franklin, Georgia was traveling west on Hwy 18. A 2009 Toyota Corolla driven by 51 year old Roy Rhoton of Thomaston was traveling east on Hwy 18.
The report states that the Dodge Ram attempted to pass a vehicle while in a no passing zone as the Toyota Corolla was oncoming in the east bound lane causing the two vehicles to collide head on in the east bound lane.
After impact, the Toyota Corolla rotated and came to a rest beside the roadway while the Dodge Ram continued off the highway, crossed two private driveways, and came back across the road and down an embankment before finally being stopped by a tree at the bottom of the embankment.
A witness stated that he was behind the Dodge Ram when it attempted to pass another vehicle. He saw both vehicles move to the shoulder to avoid the collision.
The driver of the Dodge Ram stated that his passenger side front brake pads had fallen off earlier in the day and that he clamped the brake line shut with a pair of vice grip pliers. He said that as he was passing the vehicle in front of him, he saw the Corolla approaching, tried to brake, and re-enter his lane of traffic. However, as he applied the brakes, the truck pulled to the left causing him to veer back into the oncoming lane of traffic and strike the Corolla head on.
Austun Brown, also from Franklin, was the passenger in the Dodge Ram. He advised the GSP Trooper that he was asleep, leaned back in the seat with his feet on the dash without his seat belt on when the wreck occurred. He remembered seeing a green car before exiting the roadway and hitting the tree. He tried to step out of the vehicle, and his leg gave out.
The driver of the Toyota Corolla and the Dodge Ram both had on seatbelts. Air bags deployed for all three involved in this wreck.
The driver of the Toyota Corolla and the passenger of the Dodge Ram were taken to hospitals for treatment for suspected serious injury.
The driver of the Dodge Ram was cited for passing in a no passing zone.
Photos courtesy of the Pike County Fire Department.