Crime & Safety
Update: Driver of Volkswagen Killed in U.S. 411 Crash in Cartersville
An Adairsville man has been jailed on vehicular homicide, DUI and drug charges in connection with the two-vehicle collision.
Updated Tuesday, 11:45 p.m.
Georgia State Patrol spokesman Gordy Wright said Joseph Lee Wooten, 31, of Adairsville, who was arrested in connection with the crash, was charged with three violations of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act, including misdemeanor possession of marijuana and two related to prescription drugs.
The driver of the VW Beetle who was killed in the crash is Cassidy Alexis Gardner, 18, of Summerville.
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Update Monday, 9:20 p.m.
An Adairsville man has been arrested in connection with the fatal U.S. Highway 411 crash in Cartersville.
Find out what's happening in Cartersvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Joseph Lee Wooten, 31, was the driver of the Blazer that allegedly struck a Volkswagen traveling west on U.S. 411, killing its driver. Wooten has been treated for injuries he sustained in the crash and released from Cartersville Medical Center, Georgia State Patrol spokesman Gordy Wright said.
Wooten was then taken to the Bartow County jail and charged with first-degree vehicular homicide, DUI, a violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, failure to yield the right-of-way and a safety belt violation.
Update 4:50 p.m.
One person was killed and another injured in the two-vehicle collision on Highway 411 shortly before 2 p.m. Monday, according to GSP spokesman Gordy Wright said.
"Initial indication is that a Volkswagen was traveling west on U.S. 411 while a Chevrolet Blazer was attempting to cross U.S. 411 from Martin Road to Arnold Road," he said in an email. "The Blazer struck the VW in the driver’s side, fatally injuring the VW driver."
The VW driver's next of kin had not been notified by 4:45 p.m., and his or her name has not been released.
The driver of the Blazer was taken to Cartersville Medical Center for treatment.
The crash remains under investigation by the GSP post in Cartersville and the GSP Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team.
The roadway was cleared and reopened by 5 p.m.
Georgia State Patrol officials tell Patch the crash appears to have been a head-on collision that resulted in one fatality.
Check back with Patch for more information as it becomes available.
Original Post 2:17 p.m.
The Bartow County Sheriff's Office is advising motorists to avoid U.S. Highway 411 westbound near Martin Road in Cartersville for the next three hours.
Traffic is congested in the area due to a serious crash, according to the Nixle alert.
"A two vehicle accident with possible fatality on Hwy 411 WB near Martin Rd will cause traffic backups and possible detours for the next 3 hours," it says. "Both lanes of Hwy 411 WB are closed at this time."
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