By Joe Johnson
An Athens man died Saturday night following a two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 29 North, Athens-Clarke County police said in a Monday morning news release.
The crash occurred shortly after 8 p.m. when a Nissan Maxima sedan that was traveling south in the 1200 block of the highway made a U-turn into the path of a Kia Sorento SUV that was traveling north, according to police.
The drivers of both vehicles were Athens residents who were not injured, police said.
Two passengers in the sedan, which was struck by the SUV in the right passenger side, were seriously injured.
April Campbell, 33, of Athens suffered a broken arm and collapsed lung, and Willie James Butts, 49, also of Athens, suffered internal injuries, police said.
Both were transported to a local hospital, where Butts died, police said.
“Charges against the at-fault driver will be determined at the close of the crash investigation,” the ACCPD press release stated.
The release noted that the incident was the fourth fatal crash this year in Athens-Clarke County.
“The ACCPD encourages motorists to refrain from distracted driving, slow down, and wear safety belts,” the press release stated.