BARNESVILLE, Ga. — A man is dead in Barnesville after apparently falling asleep while driving, Lamar County Coroner Clay Tillery said.
It happened early Thanksgiving morning at around 2:24 a.m., according to Georgia State Patrol, which is investigating the crash.
Tillery and Georgia State Patrol say Decarlos Sheppard, 40, of Upson County was driving south on Georgia Highway 36 when they crossed the center line and careened off the roadway near Country Kitchen Road.
After leaving the road, Georgia State Patrol says Sheppard's Jeep Grand Cherokee began to overturn, eventually striking multiple trees before coming to a complete stop on the vehicle's roof.
Tillery said the vehicle was behind the tree line and not visible from the roadway.
Sheppard was found unrestrained and suffering a head injury, according to Tillery and the state patrol. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
During the investigation, Tillery said that Sheppard's passenger told authorities that he had been drifting off during their drive. While she tried to keep him up, Tillery says it appears he fell asleep behind the wheel before driving off the road.
The passenger was taken to the hospital with what appeared to be minor injuries.
Tillery said the accident reflects the importance of being prepared for your holiday travel and staying off the road when you don't feel ready to drive.
"Try to rest before making long drives with holiday travel," Tillery said.
At this time, Tillery says that it does not appear that Sheppard was under the influence, but Georgia State Patrol is still investigating the circumstances of the crash.
