By Joe Johnson
A Jackson County man was killed Sunday morning in the fifth fatal crash to have occurred in Athens in just a little more than a month into 2021.
The two-vehicle collision occurred on Tallassee Road, between Christa Lane and Ramble Hills Drive, according to Athens-Clarke County police Public Information Officer Lt. Shaun Barnett.
He said that a Chevrolet Tahoe collided head-on with a Jeep Wrangler, and that the driver of the Wrangler was killed and two occupants were transported by National EMS to the hospital, and were expected to survive.
County Corner Sonny Wilson identified the Jeep’s drover as Christopher Scottie Nix, 50, of Jefferson.
The Tahoe’s driver was also hospitalized and was expected to survive, Barnett said.
“Initial investigation suggests that the Tahoe left its lane of travel and went to the wrong side of the road, striking the Wrangler head-on,” according to Barnett, but the investigation was ongoing as of Sunday afternoon.
Tallassee Road was closed to traffic in both directions at Ramble Hills Road between about 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., according to Athens-Clarke County road advisories.