Elderly wrong-way driver dies after multi-vehicle crash in Athens

The following was released today by ACCPD:

On September 3, 2026, at approximately 6:00 AM, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department

responded to a multi-vehicle crash near the intersection of Highway 29 North and Talley

Crossing.

The initial investigation indicates Wayne Voyles, 80, of Hull, Georgia, was driving a 2012

Chevrolet Equinox northbound in a southbound lane of Hwy 29. Voyles struck a 2022 Toyota

Tacoma traveling southbound on Hwy 29. The Tacoma was pushed into a 2022 Toyota

Highlander, which was also headed southbound on Hwy 29.

All three drivers were transported by EMS to a local hospital. The drivers of the Tacoma and

Highlander were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Voyles succumbed to his injuries at

the hospital.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact

Master Police Officer Lewis at Joey.Lewis@accgov.com or 762-400-7169.

Voyles is the 8th victim of a fatal crash in 2026 in Athens-Clarke County.