Elberton, Georgia — A quiet Monday morning turned tragic on Feb. 2 when a 67-year-old Elberton man died after his truck skidded off an icy section of roadway and overturned, state troopers said. The crash happened just after 9 a.m. on Calhoun Falls Highway at Willis Drive, drawing fire crews, EMS and state patrol to the scene.
Donald B. Hawck, who lived in Elberton, was driving alone when his pickup hit a slick patch of road, according to investigators. The truck left the pavement and rolled, leaving Hawck with fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead where he fell.
Emergency responders from Elbert County were among the first on site, securing the crash area and rendering aid as they could. Traffic slowed and backed up nearby while crews worked to document the scene and clear debris. Georgia State Patrol troopers are leading the investigation into what caused the truck to leave the road.
Residents in Elbert County have struggled with icy conditions after recent winter storms, and authorities said the crash is one of several weather-linked wrecks reported that morning. Drivers were urged to use extreme caution on untreated roads.
Hawck was known in the Elberton community, and news of his death spread quickly among neighbors and friends. Many took to social media to express sorrow and urge safer travel as cold weather continues to affect local roads.
As the investigation continues, state patrol officials have not yet released a final cause for the crash. They have not commented on whether speed, vehicle condition, or a health issue factored into the tragedy.
This fatal wreck serves as a somber reminder of how quickly winter conditions can turn ordinary drives into life-threatening moments. Drivers are reminded to slow down, give extra space to others on slick stretches, and avoid travel if conditions are unsafe.
