HORTENSE — Four people were injured with two teenagers being lifeflighted to hospitals.
The accident involving a Honda Foreman 500 ATV and a 2022 Nissan Versa ocurred Saturday night, April 26 on Georgia Hwy. 32 at approximately 7:37 p.m.
According to the accident report of Georgia State Patrol Trooper Austin Edwards, the ATV was driven by a 16-yearold juvenile driver with a 17-year-old passenger on board. Both were airlifted to a hospital in Jacksonville, Fla.
The driver of 2022 Nissan Versa, Penny Schulze of Patterson, was transported to Memorial Satilla Hospital in Waycross.
Trooper Edwards’ report said the ATV driven by the 16-year-old was traveling east behind a Honda Rancher driven by Adam Jordon Rusher, who was transported to Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick following the accident. The Rusher vehicle came to a stop waiting to turn left onto an unnamed County Road.
The Honda Foreman 500 was unable to come to a stop, striking Rusher vehicle in the rear with its front tire. The strike forced the Honda Rancher to travel approximately 16 feet before coming to an uncontrolled rest in the eastbound travel lane and south shoulder of the roadway.
The driver of the Honda Rancher told the GSP trooper he had slowed down and came to a complete stop waiting on the Honda Foreman 500 ATV to pass so he could make a left hand turn. The driver stated that is when the trailing ATV struck him from behind.
The Honda Foreman 500 continued east traveling approximately 35 feet. The ATV crossed the center line and struck 2022 Nissan Versa head on.
The Honda Foreman 500 rose on onto the hood of the vehicle and came to a final rest approximately 137 feet away, facing east in the westbound travel lane. The ATV continued another 157 feet before coming to a controlled rest, partially on the north shoulder of the roadway in the westbound travel lane.
Both the driver and passenger of the Honda Foreman 500 suffered serious injuries and were transported from the scene.
Shulze, the driver of the 2022 Nissan Versa, told Trooper Edwards she observed the Honda Foreman 500 losing control and getting wobbly prior to crossing over the center line, coming into her lane, and striking her vehicle.
