A University of Georgia graduate who had recently completed medical school was killed after a drunken driver smashed into his car, officials said.
Photo: Tyler Wallace (cbs46.com)
Tyler Wallace, M.D. was driving home from a post-medical training class when he was hit by a DUI driver. Wallace was exiting Highlands Grove Business Park at 3690 Highlands Parkway S.E. in a gray 2016 Chrysler 200 when he was struck on the driver’s side by a black 2014 Toyota Tundra.
First responders had to use the jaws of life to extract Wallace from his vehicle. He was rushed to Kennestone Hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Police at the scene of the wreck asked the other driver, Brent Douglas Davis, to step out of his truck to speak with them, the warrant said. An officer noticed he was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred. Officers noticed the smell of mouthwash on his breath.
Photo: Brent Davis (cbs46.com)
Davis denied a field sobriety test and denied he was drunk. Police later found beer cans in the car.
Davis was charged with homicide by vehicle and DUI.
A court-ordered toxicology test later confirmed that Brent was driving under the influence.
Wallace was a 2016 graduate of the University of Georgia and a 2019 graduate of Augusta Medical College. He started a new physical therapy practice in June, following the completion of the United States Medical Licensing board exams.
Our condolences go to the family and friends of Tyler Wallace.
Georgia State law requires clinical evaluation and the attendance of the DUI program that’s certified/licensed by the Georgia Department of Driver’s Services before your driver’s license can be reinstated if you have been charged with any of the following:
Police charged a 28-year-old woman with homicide by vehicle and other traffic charges after she was involved in an accident that killed two commercial truck drivers and shut down Interstate 85 for several hours.
Police said Leah Knox was arrested and transported to the Gwinnett County Jail after being released from the hospital. Police charged her with homicide by vehicle, failure to maintain lane and driving too fast for conditions.
Photo: Gwinnettdailypost.com
Police said alcohol consumption does not appear to be a contributing factor; however, speed and weather conditions are being investigated.
Gwinnett County police officers responded to the crash on I-85 southbound between Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road and Old Peachtree Road in unincorporated Suwanee. Officers saw three vehicles involved in the crash, two tractor-trailers and Knox’s grey 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse.
Police said the drivers of both commercial tractor-trailers were dead. The victims were 63-year-old Stockbridge man Robert Kent and 50-year-old Decatur man Raymond Samuel. Knox was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Based on the preliminary investigation, evidence at the scene and witness statements, investigators believe Knox lost control of her car and made an impact with a guardrail on the right side of the roadway. The tractor-trailer driven by Kent struck the Mitsubishi after it bounced off the guardrail and reentered the roadway. Kent’s vehicle continued forward and struck the center median wall.
Police said the movements of the tractor-trailer driven by Samuel are still being investigated. Investigators are trying to determine whether it struck the Mitsubishi or Kent’s tractor-trailer.
Our condolences go out to the family and friends of those involved in this tragic accident.
Speed
The first thing standing between you and safety during a wet commute is your speed. Speed factors into everything where driving is concerned. A rule of thumb is recommended that you decrease your speed by a third during wet conditions. Let’s do the math; If you’re driving the speed limit down at 65 mph normally, then during wet conditions you should drive 43 mph. Speed in wet conditions affect stopping and braking distance too.
Everyone will have to deal with hydroplaning at some point or other, in wet road conditions. Do you know how to respond if your car begins to hydroplane?
Hydroplaning, Regaining Control
Safety in wet road conditions should also include how to react in case of incidents like hydroplaning. If you begin to lose control of your vehicle in wet conditions you should first avoid slamming on the brake. It may be easier said than done but it helps. Slamming on the brake throws the vehicle’s balance off even further and makes re-establishing control of the wheel, much more difficult. When losing control you should remain as observant as possible and steer the car in the direction you want it to go.
Consider taking a driving course at A-1 if you are interested in learning more rules and regulations such as these. There is a lot of very useful and informative information in the class and it will apply whether you have been driving for years or you are a brand new driver.
The same safe driving practices that are taught in A-1’s Defensive Driving Class can be applied to be a safe driver in a car and on a motorcycle!
Recently suspended Calhoun City Administrator Eddie Peterson registered a .224 on an alcohol breath test, according to the Calhoun Police Department report regarding Peterson’s recent DUI arrest. The legal limit in Georgia is .08.
The Calhoun City Council voted unanimously during a special called meeting to suspend Peterson for 30 days without pay and to make Assistant City Administrator Paul Worley the acting city administrator during the suspension.
Photo: northwestgeorgianews.com
According to the CPD report, Peterson backed his truck into another vehicle in the parking lot of the Heritage Hills Apartments where he lives. He told the officers that the space is typically empty.
Officers could smell alcohol on Peterson’s breath and he told them he had consumed three beers about 3-4 hours prior.
Reports state Peterson performed poorly on several field sobriety tests, including a one-leg-stand test that had to be stopped.
“Mr. Peterson could not comprehend instructions and began taking steps and lost his balance, so testing had to be stopped for his safety,” according to the report.
Peterson was then asked to give a voluntary breath sample, during which he registered a level of .224, nearly three times the legal limit. He was then arrested.
DUI Laws | What You Need to Know
The laws make it illegal for drivers of all ages to operate motor vehicles if they have BAC percentages of:
0.08% or higher, if they’re 21 years old or older operating regular passenger vehicles.
0.04% or higher, if they’re operating commercial vehicles.
0.02% or higher, if they’re younger than 21 years old.
Georgia State law also requires clinical evaluation and the attendance of a DUI / Risk Reduction Program that’s certified/licensed by the Georgia Department of Driver’s Services before your driver’s license can be reinstated if you have been charged with any of the following:
DUI
Drug Possession
Other drug offenses
Under-age possession of drugs or alcohol
Before getting behind the wheel after having a few, consider the many reasons why you should not.
Toyota is recalling about 2.9 million cars in the U.S. because the airbags may not inflate in a crash.
The recall covers certain 2011-2019 Corollas, the 2011 to 2013 Matrix, the 2012 through 2018 Avalon and the 2013 to 2018 Avalon Hybrid.
Toyota says the airbag control computer may not be properly protected against electrical interference. That can lead to incomplete airbag deployment or failure to inflate in a crash.
Toyota statement:
“The subject vehicles may be equipped with an electronic control unit (ECU) from a specific supplier designed to receive signals from crash sensors and deploy the airbags and seat belt pretensioners. The ECU may not have adequate protection against certain electrical noise that can occur in certain crashes, such as severe underride crashes. This can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of seat belt pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.”
In most cases, Toyota dealers will install a noise filter between the airbag control computer and a wiring harness. In some cases, dealers will inspect the computer to determine if it needs the filter. The remedy will be at no cost to vehicle owners.
Owners will be notified by mid-March.
Whether you have been driving for years or you are a brand new driver, A-1 offers classes that will help you brush up on some rules and regulations before it’s too late.
If you have a clean driving record for 3 years, you may take the 6-hour Defensive Driving Program to receive a 10% -15% discount on your auto insurance premium. The insurance discount percentage is determined by your insurance company.
Police say the ATV driver was traveling east and tried to go around a car. The fire engine was traveling west. The fire engine had its lights and sirens activated at the time of the crash.
The driver of an all-terrain vehicle involved in a head-on collision with a fire engine in Georgia on Christmas has died.
No firefighters were physically injured.
Police say the ATV driver wasn’t wearing a helmet. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials haven’t released his identity.
While that requires you to check local regulations, generally an ATV or UTV in Georgia must remain on designated roads, trails or in designated areas marked specifically for off-road vehicle use.
There are specific areas in Georgia where riders are permitted to operate an ATV or UTV without a driver’s license. These areas are specially designated and the driver must be accompanied by a licensed adult. Outside of these areas, you must have a valid driver’s license to operate an ATV or UTV on public land in Georgia.
You are not permitted to operate ATVs or UTVs on public streets in Georgia.
Consider taking a driving course at A-1 if you are interested in learning more rules and regulations such as these. There is a lot of very useful and informative information in the class and it will apply whether you have been driving for years or you are a brand new driver.
The same safe driving practices that are taught in A-1’s Defensive Driving Class can be applied to be a safe driver in a car and on a motorcycle!
Law enforcement is warning drivers before hitting the road on New Year’s that this holiday is one of the most dangerous for commuters.
There will be a huge show of force to deter drunk drivers from putting yours or their own life in danger.
in 2018, nearly 4,000 Southwest Floridians drove drunk, and half of those in Lee County. But, there is no excuse and the potential costs are too great.
“It’s so silly to get a DUI when there’s the advantage of taking a Lift or Uber…I mean it’s just crazy,” said Naples resident Ann Quigle.
Local attorney, Peter Dennis tells us including lawyers, insurance, DUI school, altogether you are looking at around 10-thousand dollars if you are caught drinking and behind the wheel.
All of that compared to Uber surge pricing, which could be a couple of hundred dollars, depending on the length of your trip. While that may seem like a lot, local drivers say spending the extra money is worth it.
All motorists can use the following tips to stay safe, focused, sober and patient while traveling:
Plan ahead for a sober ride.
Arrange for a designated driver, use a rideshare service or program the numbers for cab companies into your phone.
You can also plan to use public transportation, but check schedules ahead of time in case service is altered during the holiday.
Don’t try to make up time by speeding. Because of extra traffic on the road, leave for your destination earlier than needed to allow for increased travel time.
Make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing their seat belt and all children under 8 are riding in an approved child passenger safety seat or booster seat.
Limit driver distractions by staying off phones. Program GPS before you get on the road or have a passenger be in charge of navigation.
Take breaks to avoid drowsy driving: Plan rest stops as needed and alternate drivers if possible!
DUI Laws | What You Need to Know
The laws make it illegal for drivers of all ages to operate motor vehicles if they have BAC percentages of:
0.08% or higher, if they’re 21 years old or older operating regular passenger vehicles.
0.04% or higher, if they’re operating commercial vehicles.
0.02% or higher, if they’re younger than 21 years old.
Georgia State law also requires clinical evaluation and the attendance of a DUI / Risk Reduction Program that’s certified/licensed by the Georgia Department of Driver’s Services before your driver’s license can be reinstated if you have been charged with any of the following:
DUI
Drug Possession
Other drug offenses
Under-age possession of drugs or alcohol
Before getting behind the wheel after having a few, consider the many reasons why you should not.
The Georgia State Patrol post in Gainesville issued 200 citations during the New Year holiday period, and local law enforcement made at least 11 DUI arrests.
Georgia State Patrol Gainesville Post Commander Auston Allen said the post made two DUI arrests. The post had an average of 11 troopers working each day.
Allen did not specify what type of offenses led to the most citations during the holiday period.
According to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office online database, six DUI arrests were made between Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
The hotspots for arrests and citations included: Interstate 985/Ga. 365, McEver Road, Martin Road, Winder Highway, Talmo Road, Cleveland Highway, Athens Highway, Clarks Bridge Road, Memorial Park Road, Thompson Bridge Road and Candler Highway.
Hall County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Derreck Booth said there were eight traffic units on Dec. 31 and two units on Jan. 1.
The Sheriff’s Office did not issue a jail log Jan. 2, citing its change to the online database system.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday thru Thursday 10:30am to 6:00pm Friday 10:30am to 7:00pm Saturday 8:00am to 12:00pm
Why A-1 Driving School in Gainsville?
The Gainesville location of A-1 Driving School is located at the corner of Jesse Jewel Parkway and Queen City Parkway. A-1 Driving School offers the Gainesville DUI School – Risk Reduction Program, Defensive Driving Program, and Teen/Adult Driver’s Education Program.
Gainesville DUI/Risk Reduction Class
Our DUI course is a 20-hour course and is offered every week. The Gainesville DUI School class – Risk Reduction course consists of the Assessment and a 20 hour class. The Assessment must be completed before the class is taken and will take between 25 and 45 minutes. The cost of the Gainesville program is $360 and is set by the State.
The driver was charged with driving under the influence in Savannah while transporting three elderly patients according to Georgia State Patrol Trooper Jamie Quinn.
The driver, Tahera Croom, 41, was discovered passed out at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Louisville Road while driving a gold Honda Odyssey after concerned motorists called the police to report the vehicle was stopped at a light partially in the intersection.
Photo: savannahnow.com
Quinn said a nearby trooper went to the scene and found the woman asleep behind the wheel.
Inside the van were three elderly female passengers. Quinn said the trooper detected the smell of alcohol and called medical personnel to the scene to determine the woman was not suffering from a medical issue.
Once it was determined that Croom had consumed alcohol and was not suffering from a medical condition, troopers attempted to initiate a field sobriety evaluation which Croom refused to submit to, Quinn said.
According to Quinn, the three elderly passengers who appeared to be suffering from mental disabilities were unable to provide the troopers with any information as to where they were coming from or going.
The women were taken to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah where they were fed and cared for until they were reunited with family.
Croom was charged with DUI, operating a vehicle without a tag or decal, impeding traffic, improper reduction of speed, and improper display of license plates.
Georgia State law requires clinical evaluation and the attendance of the DUI program that’s certified/licensed by the Georgia Department of Driver’s Services before your driver’s license can be reinstated if you have been charged with any of the following:
A Georgia Gwinnett College professor is in a Maryland hospital recovering from injuries he received in a hit-and-run accident on New Year’s Eve.
Tom Gluick is an assistant professor of chemistry, and is recovering after multiple surgeries at Maryland’s R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Gluick’s ex-wife, Sheila Garrity said.
Gluick was walking across the street near the Towson Mall in Maryland and was struck by a vehicle that was reported to have left the scene. Gluick was airlifted to Shock Trauma in critical condition.
He was stopping in Maryland on his way home to metro-Atlanta after visiting family in New York.
FOX 5 Atlanta reported Gluick suffered broken bones in his arms, eye sockets, right leg, and eight ribs.
Photo: gwinnettdailypost.com
Georgia Gwinnett College issued a statement consoling Gluick and his friends and family recovery.
“We are very sorry to learn of Dr. Gluick’s situation,” the statement said. “He is a member of our Grizzly family and our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and friends during this difficult time.”
From everyone here at A-1’s Driving School, we would like to wish Gluick a smooth recovery and he will remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Remember, when you are a pedestrian at night the last thing you want to do is blend in. By wearing bright colors that easily reflect light, such as white or yellow, you will stand out and become far more visible to drivers. This can also be accomplished by wearing reflectors often found on bicycles, helmets and reflective vests. Reflectors can make you visible in a car’s headlights for up to 500 feet!
What Are Georgia’s Rules for Crossing Intersections?
Pedestrians must cross intersections at a crosswalk. While most people consider a crosswalk as the pathway across the intersection denoted with white lines (i.e., a marked crosswalk), it is important to note that there are both marked and unmarked crosswalks.
An unmarked crosswalk is a line between one side of the roadway and the other. The only way this differs from a marked crosswalk is that there are no distinguishing marks.
If a pedestrian is in either a marked or unmarked crosswalk, he has the right-of-way. Drivers must yield to pedestrians already inside these crosswalks, regardless of whether the driver has a green light or not.
What Responsibilities Do Drivers Have?
According to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, motorists must stop and stay stopped for pedestrians at crosswalks. Drivers must stay put until the pedestrian has vacated the driver’s side of the road.
Georgia law also holds that a driver cannot overtake another motorist who has stopped for a pedestrian.
The same safe driving practices that are taught in A-1’s Defensive Driving Class can apply to be a safe driver in a car and on a motorcycle. There is a lot of very useful and informative information in the class and it will apply whether you have been driving for years or you are a brand new driver.
A national drug testing company recently published a ranking of the states according to the rates of drunken driving, and Georgia finished in the middle of the pack.
The findings were based on information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Transportation and FBI crime reports.
Georgia ranked 23rd overall for drunken driving rates in 2018, with 308.7 DUI-related arrests per 100,000 people.
Photo: Google Images
Other metrics cited in the report showed our state has:
Short-term rate change in DUI arrest rate: 32.4 percent increase from 2014-2018
Long-term rate change in DUI arrest rate: 12.8 percent decrease from 2009-2018
In the 10-year span from 2009 to 2018, Georgia peaked in 2009 with 398.74 arrests for every 100,000 people.
The United States overall has seen the population-adjusted rate of drunken driving arrests fall by more than 35 percent since 2009. Only three states — Delaware, Washington, and North Dakota — recorded an increase in DUI arrests from 2009 to 2018.
GEORGIA DUI LAWS:
Georgia drivers can be charged with DUI if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or higher.
When you are arrested for a DUI in Georgia, you’ll have to deal with both a criminal case and a separate license suspension. The Georgia Department of Driver Services will handle your license suspension pursuant to the implied consent laws and the GA criminal courts will prosecute the criminal case.
What happens in court won’t have any bearing on the status of your driver’s license and vice versa.
The Georgia courts impose criminal penalties including:
Fines;
Jail time;
Public service.
The Department of Driver Services imposes administrative penalties including:
Suspension or revocation of your license.
The higher your BAC, the more severe your penalties may be. Multiple convictions will also result in harsher sentences.
The state with the lowest drunken driving rate in the nation? That commendable distinction went to Delaware, with 44.3 DUI arrests per 100,000 people.
Men are far more likely than women to be arrested on drunken driving charges, as males accounted for nearly three in four DUI arrests in 2018, according to U.S. Drug Test Centers.
Additionally, whites accounted for 81.2 percent of DUI arrests in 2018, according to the report.
Georgia State law also requires clinical evaluation and the attendance of a DUI / Risk Reduction Program that’s certified/licensed by the Georgia Department of Driver’s Services before your driver’s license can be reinstated if you have been charged with any of the following:
