Vehicle Abandoned in River After Crash on Maxham Road in Austell, Georgia

A driver is facing multiple charges after abandoning their vehicle in a river following an accident in Austell, Georgia. The incident occurred on Sunday night in the 100 block of Maxham Road, when the vehicle left the roadway, traveled down a steep 50-foot embankment, and ultimately came to rest in the river below. Emergency services were alerted by a concerned caller who reported the accident to local authorities. Upon arrival, Austell Police Department officers carefully descended the treacherous embankment to reach the submerged vehicle, where they discovered it had been abandoned with no occupants inside. After ensuring the scene was secure and no one was injured in the water, police launched an investigation to identify the driver. Authorities later located the driver, who is now facing charges for driving without a license and failure to report an accident. The Austell Police Department shared images of the submerged vehicle on their official Facebook page, noting that the driver's "irresponsible choices" fortunately did not result in serious injuries to themselves or innocent bystanders.

Location and Infrastructure

The accident occurred on Maxham Road, a notable thoroughfare in Austell, Georgia, located in Cobb County in the northwestern part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. The specific section in the 100 block of Maxham Road features a dangerous combination of roadway positioned near a significant drop-off leading to a waterway below. The 50-foot embankment represents a serious hazard for vehicles that depart from the roadway in this area. This section of road may present challenges during inclement weather or low visibility conditions, particularly at night when the incident occurred. Located near the Chattahoochee River and its tributaries, this area of Austell contains several waterways that intersect with the road system, creating potential hazards at points where roads cross or run adjacent to these natural features. The proximity of water to roadways in this area presents unique safety considerations for drivers navigating Maxham Road.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Georgia law, leaving the scene of an accident is a serious offense that can result in misdemeanor or felony charges depending on the circumstances. Georgia Code § 40-6-270 requires drivers involved in accidents to stop immediately, remain at the scene, and fulfill specific duties including providing information and rendering aid if necessary. Additionally, Georgia's mandatory reporting laws require accidents with injuries or property damage exceeding $500 to be reported to authorities. The driver in this case may face civil liability in addition to criminal charges, potentially including responsibility for environmental damage caused by the vehicle in the waterway. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning accident victims can recover damages as long as they are less than 50% at fault. Anyone injured as a result of such an incident would typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Georgia's statute of limitations, and potentially recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Austell Police Department: (770) 944-4320
• Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services: (770) 528-8000
• Wellstar Cobb Hospital: (470) 732-4000

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/(link is external)
• Cobb County Department of Transportation: https://www.cobbcounty.org/transportation(link is external)

Support Services:

• Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program: https://cjcc.georgia.gov/victims-compensation(link is external)
• Georgia Legal Aid: https://www.georgialegalaid.org/(link is external)

State Traffic Laws and Regulations:

• Georgia Department of Driver Services: https://dds.georgia.gov/(link is external)
• Georgia Code Title 40 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic): https://www.georgiacourts.gov/title-40/(link is external)