An accident in Habersham County on February 24 has shaken a community. A Toccoa teenager is critically injured and a Toccoa businessman lost his life.
The wreck occurred around 6:00 p.m. along Talmadge Drive. A 2009 Jeep Wrangler, driven by 17-year-old Hadden Carswell, was driving south on the road. A 2008 Ford Econoline van driven by 65-year-old Hayward Cochran Jr. was driving northbound.
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A preliminary investigation of the accident uncovered that Carswell’s Jeep crossed the double yellow center line and into the northbound lane.
The front driver’s side of the Jeep then struck the front driver’s side of Cochran’s Econoline van.
The Jeep started rotating clockwise and then ended up going off the west shoulder of the road. The van rotated counterclockwise and ended up going off the east shoulder of the highway.
The van ended up going down the embankment on the east side of the road and flipping. It came to rest on its top.
The Habersham County Coroner Kasey McEntire stated that the impact of the accident killed Cochran instantly.
Cochran was the owner of Cochran’s Cleaning Service. His business served people in multiple counties. He was a respected and devoted family man. His family said that he never met a stranger. He was kind and generous, which stories reflect.
Carswell was taken from the scene of the accident to Northeast Georgia Medical Center. His injuries are classified as critical. He has undergone surgery due to the accident.
Carswell is a junior at Habersham Central High School. He is a linebacker on the football team and also plays baseball.
The police have not determined what caused Carswell to cross the centerline in the first place. The investigation is currently ongoing. Updates on the status of the teen will be provided when they are released to the public.