Update: Charges pending in wreck Tuesday that injured four people and a cow

Update

Four people were taken to area hospitals following a four-vehicle wreck on Georgia Highway 11 just south of Eliza Doctor Road in Walton County on Tuesday morning, one of them with critical injuries.

Highway 11 was closed due to the crash from 6:11 to 11:27 a.m. on April 24, 2018, according to Georgia State Patrol Trooper First Class Cal Barton. Two of the vehicles involved in the wreck were traveling south on Highway 11 and the other two were traveling north.

“Vehicle #1 was passing vehicle #2 in a no passing zone located in a curve and on an uphill grade. Driver #2 stated that he was speeding up to avoid being passed,” Barton said. “Vehicle #3 and vehicle #4 were traveling north. The front of vehicle #1 sideswiped vehicle #3.”

Barton said this set off a chain of events that resulted in all four of the vehicles wrecking, with Vehicle 1 overturning and hitting two fences and a cow before coming to a stop. Vehicle 2 overcorrected, began to rotate counterclockwise and hit Vehicle # 4. Both these vehicles then spun out of control before coming to a stop.

“Driver #1 and driver #2 submitted to voluntary blood draws at the request of the investigation Trooper,” Barton said. “This crash is still under investigation with the assistance of Troop E SCRT and charges are pending.”

Barton said the driver of Vehicle 1, a 2000 Toyota Echo, Kelvin Warner, 61, of Winder, the driver of Vehicle 3, a 1998 Infiniti, Joshua Jones, 31, of Monroe, and his passenger, Destin Vanloon, 28, were transported by ground to Piedmont Walton with non-life threatening injuries. William Turner, 28, of Hoschton, was the driver of Vehicle 2, a 2017 Ford Focus. John Minadeo, 47, of Winder, was the driver of Vehicle 4, a 1999 Ford Ranger. He was transported by ground to Piedmont Athens with critical injuries. Due to the weather, an air ambulance was not available.

Barton said the cow was injured, but he believed it too survived.

Update

Update: Trooper First Class Cal Barton with Georgia State Patrol said to expect Highway 11 to be shut down for a while due to serious injuries. Walton County Fire Rescue reported the injured were taken to the hospital by road transport as weather prevented an air ambulance being able to respond.

“On 11 it involves a truck and a passenger car, injuries are serious. The roadway is and will be shut down for a while,” Barton said. The other accident is on Hwy. 81 at June Ivey Road. “Minor complaint of injury in that one.”

Highway 81 was a multi-vehicle accident and officials said both lanes were partially blocked.

Initial story

A multi-vehicle wreck has shut down Highway 11 at Shoal Creek Road. Find an alternative route.

Details to follow.