Man Drove Wrong Way For 5 Miles Before Fatal Crash: Report

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- The Georgia State Patrol has released new details in a fatal crash that killed two brothers who were students at Georgia Southern University. Deacon Jack Harris, 20, and Garrett Stonewall Harris, 18, died Nov. 26 in a crash involving a wrong-way driver, identified by troopers as 27-year-old Jared Benjamin Adler of Sandy Springs.

Adler was behind the wheel of a Toyota Avalon, which was traveling westbound in the left eastbound lane, when it crashed into Saturn L200, which was traveling eastbound on the interstate, near mile marker 34 in Laurens County.

The Saturn, occupied by the Harris brothers, caught fire and the students died in the collision, the agency added. Adler was transported to Navicent Heath Hospital for treatment of his injuries.

According to the accident report released by GSP, the Avalon struck the Saturn "front to front" and after impact, both cars separated and came to the rest in the road. The Toyota came to a rest facing north, across both eastbound lanes. The Saturn came to a final rest facing east near the center line divider in the left eastbound lane.

"There was no evidence located of vehicle 1 (the Avalon) crossing the median nor penetrating the cable barrier in the median," the report states. "The nearest roadway with access ramps to Interstate 16 are east of the crash location approximately five miles (at) Ga. 26."

While the troopers did not suspect Adler to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision, the report does indicate the motorist was believed to be under the influence of drugs. Blood samples were taken for testing, the results of which are pending. The Georgia State Patrol's Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is conducting an investigation into the crash and charges are also pending the outcome.

"Once the final SCRT report is compiled, the trooper will meet with the local prosecutor, either the solicitor or district attorney, to review the crash and determine what charges to file, if any," the agency added.

A memorial service was held Saturday for the Harris brothers. To help with funeral expenses, a GoFundMe account was created to help the family in its time of crisis. As of Thursday, more than $27,000 has been donated to a fund that was hoping to generate $24,000.

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