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MOLENA - Two separate wrecks occurred yesterday afternoon in the Molena area. The first occurred at Hwy 109 around mile marker 7 and resulted in two fatalities. The second occurred at Old Lifsey Road and Roberts Quarters Road and involved the transport of an officer for treatment.

First Wreck

These are the preliminary findings of a crash investigation by Post 26 Thomaston. The incident is still under investigation at this time, and the final report has not been completed.

On December 22, 2024, at approximately 3:56 p.m., a Trooper was traveling east on SR 109 near Mountain View Road in Pike County.

The Trooper observed a 2011 GMC Yukon traveling west in the eastbound lane of SR 109, passing vehicles in the westbound lane. The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed (82 mph in a 55-mph zone).

The Trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the vehicle traveled into the eastbound lane and struck a 1999 Ford SRW Super Duty traveling eastbound, head-on, causing fatal injuries to both drivers. SR 109 was shut down for approximately two hours.

[Note from the Editor: I'm being told by multiple sources that there was NOT a chase. It would take time to turn around on a vehicle going the other way at 82 mph.]

The driver of the GMC Yukon was Chanel Massingale, age 33 of Zebulon. The driver of the Ford SRW Super Duty was James "Perry" Owen, age 58 of Molena.

Second Wreck

The Pike County Sheriff's Office advised that a deputy was responding to the accident on Hwy 109 and was involved in an accident with another vehicle.

According to the GSP accident report, Pike County Deputy Wayne Thompson, age 31, was traveling South on Roberts Quarters Road in a 2020 Ford Explorer, and a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox driven by 19 year old Madison Helton from Forsyth was traveling east on Old Lifsey Springs Road.

Deputy Thompson failed to stop at the stop sign causing an impact with the Equinox in the intersection. The Ford Explorer impacted the Chevrolet Equinox in its front bumper area with its passenger side door and fender area.

After impact, the Explorer rotated clockwise approximately 180° and came to a final uncontrolled rest facing northeast. The Equinox came to a final controlled rest facing southwest. The area of impact was in the eastbound travel lane of Old Lifsey Springs Road at Roberts Quarters Road intersection.

Deputy Thompson stated he was responding to a double fatality off SR-109 with lights and sirens activated in a marked patrol car. He approached the intersection and thought he did not see anyone coming, so he proceeded through. As he entered the intersection, he saw the car coming from his right.

Helton stated she was traveling East on Old Lifsey Springs Road towards SR-109. She saw the marked patrol car coming from her left and thought he was going to stop. She said as he entered the intersection after running the stop sign, she tried to stop but was unable to.

The deputy was transported for medical evaluation, treated, and then released. Helton was not injured though her vehicle was totaled.

ADDED: According to the accident report, the deputy at fault for not stopping at the stop sign.

Closing

The Pike County Fire Department provided the photos from the first wreck and that of the cruiser involved in the second accident.

The photo of Helton's SUV was provided by a family member who is local to the Pike County area.

Pike County Times will update this article as further information becomes available.

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