A murder trial is taking place this week in Chattooga County Superior Court involving the June 2025 shooting death of 27-year-old Christopher “DJ” Chapman.
A 66-year-old Lyerly man died Tuesday following an accident involving a pedestrian and a motor vehicle on Highway 114, according to the Chattooga County Coroner’s Office.
The Coroner’s Office says it was notified of the fatal accident at approximately 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2026. The accident occurred in the 6000 block of Highway 114 in Lyerly.
The victim was identified as Tony L. Edgeworth, 66, of Lyerly.
According to the release, Edgeworth was treated at the scene by Atrium Floyd EMS and LifeForce Air Medical personnel. Officials initially prepared for possible air transport, but Edgeworth was determined to be too unstable to be transported by helicopter.
He was instead transported by ambulance to Atrium Floyd Chattooga Emergency Room, where he later died from his injuries.
Chattooga County Coroner Jeremy McElhaney and the Georgia State Patrol are investigating the accident. Additional details about the circumstances surrounding the collision were not included in the initial release.
The Coroner’s Office asked the community to keep Edgeworth’s family in their prayers during this difficult time.
Photo Credit: Scott Harding
A Jeep driver was injured Tuesday afternoon in a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer on Georgia Highway 48 near the foot of Lookout Mountain outside Menlo.
The crash occurred around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday as the tractor-trailer was traveling east toward Menlo and the Jeep Wrangler was traveling west toward Alabama from the Shinbone area.
According to information provided to WZQZ News by the Georgia State Patrol, the driver of the Jeep lost control of the vehicle, crossed into the lane of the oncoming tractor-trailer and was struck head-on.
The Jeep driver was conscious following the collision and was transported by Atrium Health Floyd EMS for medical treatment.
The Georgia State Patrol told WZQZ News that the driver is expected to recover.
The accident was investigated by the Georgia State Patrol. The official crash report remained incomplete Tuesday evening, and additional details were not immediately available.
WZQZ News will provide additional information if it becomes available.
Nearly 30 drunken driving cases in coastal Georgia have been dismissed after four former Georgia State Patrol troopers failed to appear in court following their termination in an investigation into what has become known as the “PIT for Pay” scandal.
Bond has been denied for an Anniston, Alabama man following his arrest in a July 4 crash in Polk County that claimed the life of a one-year-old child.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, the wreck happened around 2:50 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 100 and Fields Road south of Cedartown. Troopers say a Ford Mustang was traveling too fast to negotiate a curve, left the right side of the roadway, and struck a concrete culvert head-on.
Investigators said the one-year-old child was in the front seat and was not in a car seat. The child was taken to Floyd Medical Center, where she died from her injuries on Sunday.
The driver, Ezzie Tommy Harrison of Anniston, Alabama, remains in the Polk County Jail. He is facing multiple charges, including felony first-degree vehicular homicide, DUI, endangering a child while DUI, child restraint violation, failure to maintain lane, no insurance, failure to exercise due care, and no registration.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety says 15 people lost their lives in traffic crashes across Georgia during the 2026 Independence Day holiday travel period, underscoring the dangers of one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is reminding drivers to keep fireworks in the sky and off the road this Fourth of July holiday weekend by planning ahead for a sober ride.
State troopers, local officers, H.E.A.T. units and regional traffic enforcement networks are stepping up patrols through Sunday night. Officers will be watching for impaired driving, speeding, reckless driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving and seat belt violations.
GOHS says Georgia is a zero-tolerance state for drunk driving, and drivers over the legal limit will be arrested. More than 700 DUI arrests were made during last year’s July Fourth enforcement period.
AAA’s Tow-To-Go service will also be available through Monday morning, offering a free tow and ride for the driver up to 10 miles.
With millions of Americans expected to hit the road for the Fourth of July holiday, the Georgia Department of Public Safety is urging motorists to make safety their top priority during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety is asking Georgians to help the Georgia State Patrol bring home a national title by voting in the 2026 American Association of State Troopers (AAST) Best Looking Patrol Car Contest.
Voting is now underway, and the annual contest features patrol vehicles from state law enforcement agencies across the country. Supporters can cast one vote for Georgia’s entry through July 10.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety is also encouraging residents to like and share the contest announcement on social media and invite friends and family to participate. Officials say every vote helps showcase the pride, professionalism, and tradition of the Georgia State Patrol on a national stage.
To vote, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026bestlookingcruiser
Georgia’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance has opened an investigation into the Georgia State Patrol’s so-called “PIT for Pay” scandal involving former troopers who allegedly profited from insurance claims tied to crashes they caused during vehicle pursuits.
The investigation follows the firing of four Georgia State Patrol troopers who were found to have pursued personal injury settlements after performing PIT maneuvers, a law enforcement tactic used to stop fleeing vehicles by intentionally causing them to spin out.
According to records released during the investigation, three former troopers received nearly $100,000 in combined insurance settlements. A fourth trooper was fired for failing to report the practice and attempting to participate himself.
One case involved former Trooper Hunter Waters, who reportedly received a $25,000 insurance settlement following a pursuit-related crash involving a vehicle owned by Latesha Banks. Banks was not driving the vehicle and was not present when the crash occurred.
Banks says she later learned of the insurance claim and has since faced higher insurance premiums despite not being responsible for the incident. She is seeking to have the settlement money returned and her insurance costs reduced.
Internal investigations found that multiple former troopers referred pursuit-related crashes to an attorney and obtained settlements through insurance claims.
The four troopers involved were terminated for violating department policy and ethical standards. No criminal charges have been filed.
The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance continues to investigate the matter, while some insurance companies involved are reportedly reviewing their legal options.