Two Claxton residents were killed Thursday morning following a two-vehicle crash involving a tractor-trailer on Georgia Highway 292 in Toombs County. According to information from the Georgia State Patrol reported by WTOC, the crash involved a Cadillac CTS and a tractor-trailer and occurred Thursday morning, Sept. 24, near the intersection of Georgia 292 and Emmanuel Drive.
Investigators said a tractor-trailer driven by 65-year-old Vernon L. Reffitt of Twin City was pulling out of a private business and attempting to turn left to travel west on Georgia 292. At the same time, a Cadillac CTS driven by 42-year-old Christopher Greene of Claxton was traveling east on Georgia 292.
According to the preliminary investigation, the Cadillac struck the tires of the tractor-trailer while the trailer was in the eastbound lane. Jennifer L. Castro, 53, of Claxton, who was a passenger in the Cadillac, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Greene was transported to Memorial Health Meadows Hospital in Vidalia, where authorities said he later died from his injuries.
The crash shut down Georgia 292 at Emmanuel Drive for several hours Thursday morning as emergency personnel responded and investigators worked at the scene. Earlier reporting indicated the roadway was blocked shortly after 7 a.m. and did not fully reopen until later that morning.
The information released so far describes the preliminary sequence of events but does not indicate that authorities have made a final determination regarding fault or whether any charges are expected.
The crash remains under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol. Hazlehurst Now will update this story if additional information is released.
