Girl seriously injured in 2-vehicle crash

Published 3:34 pm Friday, November 8, 2024

A two-vehicle collision Friday morning at the intersection of Ga. Route 49 and U.S. Highway 441 bypass in Milledgeville seriously injured a 7-year-old girl, local authorities say.

Sgt. Thomas Smith, who investigates serious vehicle crashes and fatalities for the Milledgeville Police Department, said the crash involved a 2011 Cadillac SUV and a 2015 Freightliner Cascadia registered to Maz Enterprises.

Smith identified the driver of the SUV as 66-year-old Melvin Adams of Milledgeville, and the driver of the semi-truck as Mikhail Grudko, 39, of Simpsonville, South Carolina.

The investigating officer said Adams was traveling northbound on the U.S. 441 bypass and later entered the left turn lane that leads to the westbound lanes of Ga. Route 49.

Smith said Grudko was traveling southbound in the outside lane of the U.S. 441 bypass, approaching the intersection of the bypass and Ga. Route 49.

“Upon reaching the intersection, and with a green light, vehicle 1 (the SUV) began his left-hand turn towards Hwy. 49 where he was struck by vehicle 2 (the semi-truck),” Smith said. “Vehicle 2 was also entering the intersection with a green light when he struck vehicle 1.”

Smith said a 7-year-old girl, the passenger in the SUV, was seriously injured.

The girl was treated at the scene by firefighters/first responders with Milledgeville Fire Rescue Services and personnel with Atrium Health Navicent Emergency Medical Services.

She was later taken to the emergency department of Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin hospital in Milledgeville and later transferred to an Atlanta hospital, Smith said.

Adams also was taken to the local hospital for evaluation of possible injuries.

The wreck remained under investigation Friday afternoon.