CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Two people were injured Monday afternoon in a rollover crash that continues to shut down GA 197 North at Mill Creek Road north of Clarkesville.
Habersham County deputies said a Toyota SR5 was traveling south on GA 197 when it ran off the east shoulder of the road in a curve. As the SUV headed down an embankment toward a creek, it struck a tree and overturned onto its side.
Authorities said the tree likely prevented the vehicle from continuing into the water.
A passerby reported seeing the driver walking along the roadway following the crash. Deputies located the man about 100 feet south of the wreck site and were directed to the overturned SUV, where they found an injured female passenger.
The woman was covered in blood when first responders arrived, according to Habersham County Sheriff’s Office Lt. George Cason. K-9 Deputy Holden Helcher and his canine partner, Bane, were among the first on the scene.
“Deputy Helcher was here. He actually was able to attain his first aid kit and rendered aid, was able to bandage her wounds up until medical units could get on scene to properly treat her,” Cason said.
Cason praised the actions of responding deputies.
“The deputies that showed up on scene did a fantastic job as far as removing her from the scene, getting her up here so that way she could be checked out and evaluated and given the medical treatment that she needed,” he said.
Both occupants were transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville for treatment.
Cason said Helcher’s quick response proved invaluable.
“Deputy Helcher is a very big asset to this situation because he was readily prepared for the situation,” Cason said. “He knew exactly where his med packet was and everything, and was able to actually sustain her until she could get treated by medical personnel on scene.”
Deputies regularly train in emergency medical response, including Stop the Bleed and CPR, because law enforcement officers are often the first to arrive at crash scenes.
As of 6:45 p.m. on June 1, law enforcement units remained at the scene while a towing crew worked to clear the wreckage.
The names of the injured driver and passenger have not been released. The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
Now Habersham will update this article as new information becomes available.
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