Motorist killed after crashing into North Avenue bridge

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department has released the following:

On March 7, 2026, at approximately 1:03 PM, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department

responded to a single-vehicle crash in the intersection of North Avenue and MLK Parkway. The

initial investigation indicated that a 2000 Dodge Caravan was traveling southbound on North

Avenue when the vehicle left the roadway and struck a curb and trestle pillar before striking an

embankment and rolling onto its side. The driver was partially ejected.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, 47-year-old David Smith of Monticello, GA,

sustained severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital by EMS.

ACCPD investigators later learned Smith succumbed to his injuries on March 23rd

.

This is the fourth fatality crash of 2026.

This is an ongoing investigation, and anyone with information about the crash is asked to

contact Senior Police Officer Trotter at 762-400-7326 or James.Trotter@accgov.com.