Girl, 7, still critical after Friday wreck

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, September 16, 2015

By Melanie Ruberti

mruberti@civitasmedia.com

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PINE MOUNTAIN — A 7-year-old girl remained in critical condition Tuesday evening in an Atlanta hospital after the car she was riding in was hit Friday afternoon by a truck on Hamilton Road near Old Chipley Road.

According to Sgt. Brad Walker with the Georgia State Patrol, a Nissan Sentra northbound on Hamilton Road was trying to turn left into the driveway of the Hammitt Automotive shop at 6590 Hamilton Road. The driver of the Sentra told the trooper he saw a vehicle coming up fast behind him and thought it was going to hit him, so he turned, which put the car in the path of a black Dodge pickup truck.

Walker said the truck struck the right side of the Sentra just above the passenger tire, causing the car to rotate and slide into a nearby ditch.

The little girl, who was identified as the driver’s niece, was sitting in the back passenger seat area where the truck hit the car. Walker said she had head injuries and was flown from the scene to Children’s Hospital of Atlanta at Egleston.

Another woman, identified as the driver’s aunt, was sitting in the front passenger seat and also sustained head injuries when she slammed into the windshield of the car, stated Walker. That woman was transported to West Georgia Medical Center for treatment.

Walker said neither driver was hurt in the collision.

Melanie Ruberti is a reporter at LaGrange Daily News. She may be reached at 706-884-7311, ext. 2156.