A crash on Ga. 400 claimed the lives of two pedestrians Friday morning.
On Nov. 22 at 2:07 a.m., the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call alerting them to a crash on Ga. 400 northbound near Settingdown Road.
According to the Sheriff’s Dept., the investigation at this point has determined that a 2001 GMC Sonoma was traveling north in the left lane of Ga. 400 near Settingdown Road. A man and woman had stopped their vehicles in the northbound emergency lane and had exited the vehicles to look for a lost item on or near the roadway. Both pedestrians were dressed in dark clothing.
“Due to the dark conditions, the driver did not see the first pedestrian. Evidence indicates the driver attempted to avoid the accident but was unable to avoid striking the first pedestrian,” said Forsyth County Sheriff’s Dept. Spokesman Doug Rainwater.
That pedestrian was determined to have been standing in the left northbound lane of Ga. 400. As the vehicle veered to the left in an attempt to avoid the first pedestrian in the roadway, the second pedestrian, who was on the left edge of the roadway, was also struck.
According to Deputy First Class Michael Hobbs, Traffic Investigator with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, 44- year-old Michael Sweat of Dawsonville and 25-year-old Kayla Howard of Dahlonega, Ga. were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Impairment or distraction are not considered as factors in the crash at this time and no charges are pending.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Specialist Unit.
