The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 61-year-old Deta Joy Ratledge after a deadly multi-vehicle accident on January 24, 2025. Ratledge, age 61 of LaFayette, was arrested by Deputy Kevin Phillips on February 18 and charged with Following Too Closely and DUI/Drugs/Less Safe. The accident caused the death of 28-year-old Travis Bailey from Summerville. Ratledge was released on bond the same day her booking report was made public on February 19. Preliminary information from the Georgia State Patrol indicated that the crash happened around 6:50 PM on Georgia Highway 114 near Bargain Lane. A red Chevrolet S-10 truck had broken down, blocking the southbound lanes. A grey Nissan Sentra stopped to avoid hitting the truck, but a silver Toyota Corolla, following too closely behind, crashed into it from behind. After the collision, the driver of the Toyota stepped out to talk to witnesses. Meanwhile, a blue Jeep Compass approached the scene and failed to stop, hitting the Toyota and its driver, Travis Bailey. Bailey sadly died from his injuries at the scene. Drug paraphernalia and prescription medications were found in the Jeep, and Ratledge, the driver, was impaired and agreed to a blood test. The Georgia State Patrol State Crash Reconstruction Team investigated the incident.