Officials say driver killed in Augusta crash suffered health issue

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We learned more about one of the three fatal crashes in Augusta this week on Friday.

A witness told officials that Joseph Wilson Jr., of Hephzibah, was traveling east on I-520 east near mile marker 9.5 when Wilson abruptly swerved across the left lane in front of him hitting the median wall and rolling multiple times.

When the vehicle stopped just past the Doug Barnard Parkway overpass, the witness said he checked on Wilson, who was unresponsive, officials say.

Deputies say they later found that Wilson suffered from a chronic heart condition which likely caused the collision. The cause of death is pending the results of the autopsy at the GBI Crime Lab, officials say.

The Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen says he responded to Wellstar/MCG hospital about a death from a single-vehicle crash.

Joseph Wilson Jr., of Hephzibah, was transported from the scene to hospital, Bowen says.

He says the crash occurred on eastbound Interstate 520 at mile marker 12.

He was pronounced dead at 6:22 a.m., according to Bowen.

An autopsy has been scheduled.

Just Wednesday, Bowen identified a 31-year-old victim who died after being ejected from a vehicle during a crash on Old Waynesboro Road.

On Tuesday, Bowen identified a 21-year-old as the victim of a crash involving a motorcycle on Barton Chapel Road and Old Barton Chapel Road.

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