The Georgia State Patrol post in Rome is reporting an accident on Highway 27 at Taylors Ridge. State troopers have confirmed that the accident does involve a fatality.  Stay tuned to AM 1180 Chattooga County Radio and the web site at chattoogainfo.com for updates.  Troopers currently have Highway 27 shut down, both north and south lanes.

2:26 PM – Georgia State Patrol post personel told AM 1180 that traffic is beginning to move on Taylors Ridge, it is not clear if traffic is simply being re-routed or if a lane is being opened.  AM 1180 Chattooga County Radio will continue to monitor the situation and will have a full report in the 5 PM newscast and throughout the afternoon here on chattoogainfo.com

2:51 PM – It has been confirmed that the accident on Taylors Ridge was a one vehicle accident.  Reportedly the State Patrol is now allowing traffic to move over the Ridge on Highway 27.  Still no word on who the fatality involved in the accident was. 

2:57 PM – AM 1180 CHATTOOGA COUNTY RADIO SPOKE WITH SHERIFF JOHN EVERETT MOMENTS AGO.  SHERIFF EVERETT SAID THAT A WORKER INSTALLING PIPE LINE ON TAYLORS RIDGE FOR THE NEW WATER PROJECT IN THE GORE-SUBLIGNA AREA WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE AND KILLED.  APPARENTLY THE WORKER WAS KILLED BY A PLYMOUTH VOYAGER VAN.   SHERIFF EVERETT STATED THAT THE WOMAN WHO WAS DRIVING THE VAN ALONG WITH CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN TRANSPORTED TO ERLANGER MEDICAL CENTER, SOME AT LEAST BY LIFEFORCE HELICOPTER.  IT IS NOT CLEAR AT THIS TIME WHAT OR IF THERE WILL BE ANY CHARGES IN THE FATALITY.  THE GEORGIA STATE PATROL RECONSTRUCTION TEAM IS ON THE SCENE WORKING TO RECREAT THE SPECIFICS OF THE ACCIDENT.  STAY TUNED TO AM 1180 AND CHATTOOGAINFO.COM FOR MORE DETAILS

3:15 PM – AM 1180 Chattooga County Radio has learned that the woman driving the Plymouth van that struck a construction worker on Taylors Ridge was transported by Lifeforce to Erlanger Medical Center, meanwhile 3 children who were passengers in the van have been taken to the Floyd Medical Center in Rome. 

No word on the identity of the worker who was working for KM Davis on Taylor’s Ridge.  KM Davis is installing water line over the mountain as part of the Gore-Subligna Water Project.  Sources tell AM 1180 Chattooga County Radio that it is unlikely that the worker who was struck and killed was a local resident.  No word as to the identity of the female driver who was transported to Erlanger. 

3:30 PM – the Plymouth Van that struck and killed the contruction worker on Taylors Ridge was reportedly a 1993 model.  Also, there are conflicting reports as to where the victims in the van were transported – at least some were taken to Erlanger by Lifeforce, including the woman who was driving the van.  Reports indicate that the man struck and killed was from Jasper, Georgia.

4:50 PM – Updates coming up in 5 PM newscast and on the web after 5 PM