GSP identifies victim in deadly crash

Published 9:14 pm Wednesday, May 10, 2017

By Melanie Ruberti

Melanie.ruberti@lagrangenews.com

Troopers with the Georgia State Patrol officially identified the driver killed in a head-on collision off West Point Road.

Patricia Darlene Sams, 53, of LaGrange, died in the crash on May 3.

According to GSP, a 2014 Honda Civic was travelling northbound on West Point Road when the driver for an unknown reason crossed into on-coming traffic.

The Civic hit a 2001 Ford Expedition, driven by Sams, troopers stated.

The collision caused the SUV to leave the roadway, travel down an embankment and into some trees, the report read.

Sams was killed at the scene. Her daughter and another relative were also inside the SUV during the crash.

They were taken to area hospitals for treatment.

The driver of the Honda Civic was also transported for her injuries.

She reportedly told Georgia State Patrol Troopers she “blacked out” and “woke up after the impact.”

GSP’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team, or SCRT, is also assisting in the investigation.

No word if any charges will be filed against the driver of the Honda as of press time Tuesday night.

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