Wreck on Carl Vinson Pkwy leads to overturned vehicle

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — A two-car accident at the intersection of Watson Boulevard and Carl Vinson Parkway left a car overturned Saturday morning.

According to the Warner Robins Police Department, around 11:30 a.m., a white Chevy Trax was traveling northbound on Carl Vinson Parkway in the turning lane, about to turn left onto Watson Boulevard.

A Dodge Ram was also traveling northbound on Carl Vinson Parkway, when it failed to maintain lanes and struck the rear passenger side of the Chevy Trax. That caused the Trax to be pushed into the concrete median between the northbound and southbound lanes and roll over onto its driver side door. No one was injured in the accident.

The Journal spoke with James Dowling, a local resident who saw the scene of the crash. As the owner of Dowling Floors and Tile, Dowling does his fair share of driving on Houston County’s roads, driving for several hours a day.

He witnessed the crash after emergency crews arrived and has witnessed a couple more crashes while he has been driving. He said he does not feel like the streets are unsafe but does feel they need an upgrade.

“I do feel like our road system wasn’t developed for the amount of traffic we have on our main roadways,” Dowling said. “Add that to distracted drivers, and it’s a recipe for wrecks.”

Police Chief John Wagner agreed that Houston County is growing but stressed that many roadways have already been expanded — and that it is only part of the solution. He emphasized that personal responsibility from drivers is also important.

“People need to slow down and concentrate and be more patient in what they’re doing,” Wagner said.

He also offered up some advice to avoid a wreck.

“Just make sure that once you’re in a lane, you need to continue driving in that lane — especially if you’re going over an intersection,” Wagner said. “Don’t swap lanes in an intersection either.”

A little known tip from the police department is to familiarize yourself with the area and use less traveled roads during busy times if possible, something Wagner utilizes personally.

“I’ve lived here for as long as I can remember,” Wagner said. “I know all of the back roads. You’ll know what roads to stay off of during certain times. I usually just end up riding on the back roads, and a lot of our officers do the same going to calls because it has turned into gridlock in certain areas.”

Dowling’s advice to drivers is simple — don’t drive distracted.

“Put the phone down, check your mirrors several times before switching lanes,” he said. “Just look out for others on the roads with you. We’d all like to get where we’re going in one piece.”

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