An 81-year-old Norcross resident, Gerry Grimes, lost his life in a devastating crash when his vehicle plummeted from an embankment and struck an apartment complex on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred along Summer Place NW near the intersection of Beaver Ruin Road and Buford Highway in Norcross, Georgia. According to Georgia State Patrol (GSP), the vehicle was traveling west on Beaver Ruin Road when it went over a 25-30 foot retaining wall, causing it to flip and crash into the second story of the apartment building. The impact was so severe that neighbors described hearing what sounded "like an explosion." Emergency responders from Gwinnett Fire Services quickly arrived at the scene, where they pronounced Mr. Grimes dead. His 82-year-old wife, who was a passenger in the vehicle, survived the crash with non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Northside-Gwinnett Hospital in Lawrenceville for medical treatment. The Norcross Police Department initially responded to the scene before requesting GSP troopers to take over the investigation of the fatal collision.

Location and Infrastructure

The crash site at Summer Place NW is situated in a densely populated area of Norcross where residential complexes are built along varying elevations. The proximity to both Beaver Ruin Road and Buford Highway places this location at a busy traffic junction in Gwinnett County. Beaver Ruin Road is a major east-west thoroughfare with multiple lanes that experiences heavy traffic throughout the day, connecting several residential and commercial areas. The presence of a steep 25-30 foot retaining wall between the roadway and the apartment complex creates a potentially hazardous situation where vehicles that leave the roadway face significant drops. This infrastructure design, combined with the curve of Beaver Ruin Road in this area, requires drivers to maintain careful control of their vehicles. The apartment complex, positioned below road level, sits vulnerable to vehicles that might lose control at this particular section of the roadway.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Georgia law, survivors of fatal motor vehicle accidents may have grounds for wrongful death claims, which must typically be filed within two years of the date of death according to the state's statute of limitations. In cases involving elderly drivers, medical episodes or conditions may be relevant factors in determining liability, potentially affecting insurance claims. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning compensation may be reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned to each party. Property owners may also face premises liability questions regarding the safety of retaining walls and barriers if they're deemed inadequate. Victims and families affected by such accidents may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, and in fatal cases, funeral expenses and loss of companionship. The specific circumstances of each crash require individualized legal assessment by qualified professionals familiar with Georgia personal injury and wrongful death statutes.

Related Resources

• Emergency Services:
  • Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services: (678) 518-4800
  • Northside Hospital Gwinnett: (678) 312-1000
  • Norcross Police Department: (770) 448-2111
  • Georgia State Patrol - Post 51 (Gwinnett): (770) 784-5660
• Traffic Safety Resources:
  • Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: (404) 656-6996
  • Gwinnett County Department of Transportation: (770) 822-7400
  • Georgia Department of Transportation - District 1: (770) 531-5721
• Support Services for Accident Victims:
  • Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program: (800) 547-0060
  • Gwinnett County Victim Witness Program: (770) 822-8444
  • Georgia Brain Injury Alliance: (404) 712-5504
  • Georgia Senior Legal Hotline: (888) 257-9519
• Legal Resources:
  • Georgia Bar Association Referral Service: (404) 527-8700
  • Georgia Department of Driver Services: (678) 413-8400
  • Georgia Code Title 40 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic): www.legis.ga.gov