HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — A Cleveland woman was cited for driving under the influence and other traffic violations after being rescued from a wreck on GA 197 North, according to the Georgia State Patrol.
The single-vehicle crash happened around 3:59 p.m. March 20 near Batesville.
Troopers say a 2018 Ford Explorer driven by 65-year-old Kathleen Lovell was traveling north when it failed to maintain its lane and veered off the right side of the road. The SUV struck several small trees before crashing into a large tree and coming to rest roughly 75 feet down an embankment above the Soque River.
Lovell, the vehicle’s sole occupant, was injured in the crash. As previously reported, she was trapped inside her vehicle for an hour as emergency crews secured the vehicle to a tow line and used high-angle rope systems to pull her to safety and a waiting ambulance.
Habersham County EMS transported Lovell to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville for treatment.
Investigators noted the crash occurred during clear weather, in daylight, and on a dry roadway. In addition to DUI, the crash report obtained by Now Georgia states troopers cited Lovell for open container or consumption of alcohol and failure to maintain lane.
The wreck shut down a section of highway near the crash site for several hours.
