By Joe Johnson
An Athens teen was killed Monday night in a one-car collision in northern Athens-Clarke County.
The victim was identified by county Coroner Sonny Wilson as Luis Mario Vazquez-Gaytan, 17, of Deupree Court.
According to Athens-Clarke County police, officers responded shortly after 10 p.m. to Newton Bridge Road near Kathwood Drive, where a 2019 Toyota Camry that Vazquez-Gaytan was driving left the roadway and struck an embankment.
The teen, who was the car’s lone occupant died as a result of serious injuries sustained in the crash, police said.
The crash occurred not too far from where Vazquez lived, as Deupree Court is a side street off of Kathwood Drive, which intersects with Newton Bridge Road, south of the crash site.
An investigation is ongoing and police asked for anyone who might have witnessed the crash or anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Lieutenant Jonathan McIlvaine at (762) 400-7089 or jonathan.mcilvaine@accgov.com.
Police noted that the incident was the 13th fatal crash in the county this year.