Published: November 02, 2009 01:12 pm      

One dead, three injured after crash in Calhoun

One man is dead after a crash that occurred Sunday night on Ga. 53 near Calhoun. The crash left three more people injured and shut down part of the highway for nearly 90 minutes.

According to officials with the Georgia State Patrol Post 43:

Johnnie Fortner, 48, of Calhoun was killed after he crossed the median on Ga. 53 and struck an oncoming 2001 Ford Explorer.

Fortner was traveling northbound when his vehicle crossed the median. Fortner continued traveling north in the south bound lane.

The driver and two passengers inside the Explorer all sustained injuries, according to the State Patrol.

One of the Explorer passengers, Tammy Dowd of Plainville, was taken by medical flight to Erlanger Medical Center.

The Explorer driver, James Dowd, was taken to Gordon Hospital, along with a male juvenile. The juvenile was later transported to Erlanger as well.

A part of Ga. 53 in front of Meadow Dale Church was closed from 7:52 p.m. to 9:22 p.m.