A tragic pedestrian accident in downtown Athens, Georgia on Friday night resulted in the death of a 78-year-old Woodstock resident and left another person injured. The incident occurred around 10:30 PM on January 19, 2024, at the intersection of N. Thomas Street and E. Washington Street, when driver Heather Turner, 31, allegedly failed to yield to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk. Guy Jones, 78, sustained critical injuries and was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. An 18-year-old Woodstock resident was also struck and hospitalized. Turner, who was uninjured in the collision, was arrested and faces charges including two counts of failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and one count of second-degree homicide by vehicle. The Athens-Clarke County Police Department is actively investigating the incident.

Location and Infrastructure

The intersection of N. Thomas Street and E. Washington Street is situated in the heart of downtown Athens, a bustling area frequently traveled by both pedestrians and vehicles. This intersection features marked crosswalks and is surrounded by local businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues that attract significant foot traffic, particularly during evening hours. The area is known for its mix of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, especially on weekends when downtown Athens sees increased activity from both locals and visitors. Standard traffic control devices, including crosswalk signals and street lighting, are present at this intersection to facilitate safe crossing for pedestrians.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Georgia law, pedestrians have the right of way at marked crosswalks, and drivers must yield to pedestrians who are lawfully crossing the street. In fatal pedestrian accident cases, surviving family members may have grounds for a wrongful death claim, which must be filed within two years of the date of death according to Georgia's statute of limitations. Potential compensation may include medical expenses, funeral costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Additionally, injured pedestrians may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages through personal injury claims. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence system, which may affect compensation if multiple parties share fault for the accident. An experienced Athens personal injury lawyer(link is external) will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

Related Resources

• Athens-Clarke County Police Department: (762) 400-7169
• Athens-Clarke County Emergency Services: 911
• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: www.gahighwaysafety.org(link is external)
• Georgia Department of Transportation: www.dot.ga.gov(link is external)
• Georgia Victim Services: (800) 547-0060
• Athens-Clarke County Traffic Safety Unit