Two people were arrested and charged with driving under the influence in Walton County Friday night following two separate head on collisions.
The first instance shut down Highway 81 for about an hour near Malcom Lane in the Walnut Grove area. According to Georgia State PatrolTrooper First Class Cal Barton, the accident happened at about 8:28 p.m. A Toyota Camry, driven by Jermaine Barber, 43, of Conyers, was traveling north in the southbound lanes of Highway 81 when it struck a Chevrolet Suburban heading south, driven by Grant Allgood, of Covington. Allgood and his wife were both taken to Clearview Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Two children in the vehicle, 11 and 5, complained of injury but did not require transportation.
Barton said that Barber was charged with DUI, failure to maintain lane and driving on the wrong side of the road. He said that a witness reported seeing the Toyota Camry driving north in the southbound lanes for about 1/4 of a mile before the wreck. Barber, who reportedly was not injured, was arrested at the scene and transported to Walton County Detention Center.
The second incident happened on Highway 11, about half a mile north of Shoal Creek Road. According to Barton, the accident happened at about 11.09 p.m., shutting down Highway 11 for about an hour and a half. Barton said a 2004 Dodge Pickup, driven by Bryan Matthew White, 40, of Monroe, was headed north on Highway 11, passing another vehicle at a high rate of speed, when it struck a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox that was traveling south. The Equinox was driven by Brett Aaron Bell, 48, of Good Hope. His wife, Teresa, 34, was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens with “severe” injuries. Two 15-year-olds in back seat of the vehicle were also transported to the hospital with moderate injuries. White, who was not injured, was arrested and transported to Walton County Detention Center. He is charged with DUI, a seatbelt violation, passing in a no passing zone, reckless driving and speeding.
(Editor’s Note: An arrest or charge does not constitute a conviction)