A serious collision occurred on Highway 27 in Summerville, Georgia last Friday when a vehicle driven by 31-year-old Kristina Marie Chandler of North Carolina collided with a KhemPro truck carrying weed killer. According to Georgia State Patrol records, the accident took place around 11:15 AM in front of the McDonald's restaurant when Chandler attempted to exit a shopping center and failed to yield the right of way. Her vehicle struck the truck in the left northbound lane of Highway 27. The truck was operated by 46-year-old Kevin Marshall of Summerville. Following the collision, Chandler was arrested and faces multiple serious charges, including DUI, DUI child endangerment, and failure to yield when entering a highway. The presence of a child in Chandler's vehicle at the time of the accident resulted in the additional child endangerment charge. The current medical status of all parties involved has not been disclosed in the available reports.

Location and Infrastructure

The collision occurred on Highway 27, a major north-south thoroughfare that runs through Summerville, Georgia. This section of Highway 27 is characterized by commercial development, including shopping centers and restaurants such as McDonald's, which serves as a prominent landmark near the crash site. The accident specifically took place where a shopping center exit meets the highway, an intersection type that typically requires drivers to exercise caution when merging into highway traffic. Highway 27 in this area features multiple lanes in each direction with moderate to heavy traffic flow, particularly during daytime hours. The presence of commercial entrances and exits along this stretch creates potential conflict points where vehicles must cross traffic, making proper yielding essential for safety.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Georgia law, driving under the influence is a serious offense, with enhanced penalties when a child is present in the vehicle. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule in which parties less than 50% at fault may recover damages, reduced by their percentage of fault. Individuals injured in such accidents generally have two years from the date of the incident to file personal injury claims and four years for property damage claims. Potential compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. Georgia requires minimum liability insurance of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. Commercial vehicles like the KhemPro truck typically carry higher liability limits, which may be relevant if negligence is established.

Related Resources

• Emergency Services: Chattooga County Emergency Services, (706) 857-3400
• Law Enforcement: Georgia State Patrol Post 38 (Lafayette), (706) 638-5501
• Traffic Safety: Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety, www.gahighwaysafety.org
• Victim Support: Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program, (800) 547-0060
• Legal Information: Georgia Department of Driver Services, www.dds.georgia.gov
• Chemical Exposure Concerns: Georgia Poison Center, (800) 222-1222
• Child Protective Services: Georgia Division of Family & Children Services, (877) 210-5326
• State Traffic Laws: Georgia Code Title 40 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic), www.georgiacode.org/title-40