SUV Rolls Down Embankment After Driver Falls Asleep

Though the SUV and a guardrail were destroyed, three occupants of a 2008 Honda CRV managed to escape a rollover crash with only minor injuries early Friday, Sept. 27, in Watkinsville.

The accident occurred at 12:10 a.m. as the SUV was traveling south into the city on Ga. Highway 15.

"The driver stated that he fell asleep causing the car to veer off the right 
side of the highway, crash through a guardrail, and roll down an embankment near Bethel  Church," according to a news release from Police Chief Lee O'Dillon.

The 38-year-old driver, from Watkinsville, and two passengers were transported to Athens Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries that appeared to be minor, O'Dillon noted.  All three had been properly restrained inside of the SUV at the time of the crash, he added.

O'Dillon also summarized the following accidents:

• At 1 p.m. on Sept. 23,  police and medical units were called to Experiment Station Road  at Water Street after a 2008 Dodge Ram Struck the back of a 2000 Ford Ranger forcing  it into the back of a stopped 1990 Honda Accord. The drivers of the Accord and the Ranger were slightly injured. All three vehicles suffered damage. A 21-year-old Watkinsville man was charged with following too closely.
  

• Police responded to Experiment Station Road at North Main Street at 4:41 p.m. on Sept. 24 after a 2008 Ford Mustang was bumped from behind by a 2006 Kia Optima. No one was injured and only very minor damage was done.

• Also on Sept. 24,a 2014 Nissan Altima sideswiped a parked 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier at a Jeremy Drive address around 9 p.m. No one was injured and minor damage was listed.

• During the heavy rain, at 2:50 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, a 2007 Honda Accord slid into the back of a 2002 Acura on Experiment Station Road near Durham Street. Neither driver was injured. Both vehicles suffered heavy damage. An 18-year-old Homer woman was charged with following too closely.