Moped Driver Injured, Charged With DUI In Bartow Crash

RYDAL, GA -- The operator of a moped who was injured in a two-vehicle collision Tuesday afternoon in Bartow County is now facing various traffic charges in connection to the crash.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, the moped operated by Kelly Patrick Farison, 39, of Canton was traveling westbound on East Valley Road west of Maple Lane around 4:16 p.m. June 20. At the same time, a 2004 Ford SRW Super Duty truck was going eastbound.

A preliminary report indicates the moped "traveled across the center line," which forced the driver of the truck to make an evasive maneuver to his right to avoid a head-on collision, agency spokesperson Tracey Watson said.

Despite the Ford moving to the right, the moped hit the truck on the left side and after impact, overturned onto its right side, Watson told Patch.

Farison was airlifted to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga where he was treated for injuries. Watson said state troopers have charged Farison with DUI; reckless driving; failure to maintain lane; driving on the wrong side of roadway; no proof of insurance; suspended, cancelled or revoked registration; purchase, possession, manufacturing or sale of controlled substances or marijuana; two counts of possession of marijuana less than an ounce; and driving while license is suspended or revoked.

The driver of the truck, 48-year-old Robert Anthony Johnson of Rydal, was not injured.

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