Preliminary results from a deadly single-vehicle rollover collision that claimed the life of a Toccoa man on Sunday night have been made public by the Georgia State Patrol.
In the wreck, 62-year-old Michael Ray Wallen perished. Lee Woody, the chief deputy coroner for Stephens County, said that a female passenger was seriously hurt.
The collision occurred on July 27 at approximately 8:48 p.m. on Oak Valley Road close to Abbey Lane, east of Toccoa. According to troopers, Wallen was traveling east in a 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche when he lost control of his lane while negotiating a steep bend. The car veered over the shoulder, collided with many trees, and flipped over before landing on its roof.
Wallen was declared dead at the spot after being catapulted from the car without wearing a seatbelt. The traveler was transported by plane to Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s trauma unit in Gainesville. She was recognized by the State Patrol as Toccoa resident Pamela Ann McCaughey, 68.
Local first responders and the Stephens County Coroner’s Office provided assistance on the scene. Also responding was the Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT-B) of the Georgia State Patrol. Troopers say they suspect impairment.
“The families and friends impacted by this tragic accident are in our thoughts and prayers,” Woody added.
While personnel cleaned the wreckage and troopers looked into the collision, Oak Valley Road was closed for over three hours.
