‘I can’t believe that actually happened’: Ga. State Patrol still investigating Lowndes Co. flying car crash

VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) – WALB has new information on a wild car crash in Lowndes County that was captured on a deputy’s body camera.

We were the first news organization to show the video on Monday of a car driving up a tow truck ramp at full speed before going airborne and flipping to the ground.

“It was unbelievable. I can’t believe that actually happened. You see it in movies all the time, but never did I ever think it would actually happen in real life,” Georgia State Patrol Post No. 31 Seargent Raul Mejia said. “I’ve talked to many troopers and they’ve never experienced anything like it. It’s one of the first of its kind for sure.”

The woman who was driving the vehicle on Highway 84 is a 21-year-old from Tallahassee, who we’ve learned is still in the hospital in critical condition. WALB touched base with her on Facebook Messenger, while giving her time to recover.

According to the incident report from the crash, the tow truck did have emergency lights on. That means it’s considered an emergency vehicle, so the Move Over Law would apply to other drivers on the road.

WALB asked if law enforcement vehicles or personnel should have been on that side of the highway to help.

“Usually yeah, we have other deputies there that could help out and assist depending on what they have going on. They’ll try to monitor and park their vehicle in certain places to monitor traffic,” Mejia said. “That vehicle is an emergency vehicle, and it had flashing lights on. So that should have definitely been a sign to slow down and move over.”

Georgia’s Move Over Law requires drivers to move over one lane or slow down when an emergency vehicle with flashing lights is parked on the side of the highway.

“It’s very important to always pay attention to your surroundings and not just look right in front of your vehicle, but look beyond your vehicle, what’s coming up way ahead and be prepared to move over, slow down, and monitor the traffic around you,” Mejia said. “This was very dangerous, and that’s why the Move Over Law is so important in the state of Georgia.”

Georgia State Patrol says other cars were indeed moving over around the tow truck. They plan to speak with the driver who crashed as soon as her condition improves.

Wild Lowndes Co. crash video shows importance of Move Over Law

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