On September
1, 2023, at approximately 6:15 A.M., Canton Officers responded to an accident
with entrapment on Hickory Flat Highway at its intersection with I-575 Northbound on-ramp.
When
officers arrived on the scene, they observed a Ford truck and a Jeep Wrangler near
the intersection, both with extensive damage. Officers made contact with both
drivers and all occupants to assess injuries. Two occupants from the Jeep
Wrangler were entrapped and were extracted by Cherokee Fire and Emergency
Services.
The driver
of the Jeep Wrangler, Walter Gaspar, of Canton, Georgia, and the front
passenger, Alejandro Ramirez both suffered serious injuries and were
transported to a local hospital to receive medical treatment. The rear
passenger, Juan Lorenzo, suffered life-threatening injuries and was also
transported to a local hospital to receive medical treatment.
The driver
of the Ford truck, Castro Xquin, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and three other
occupants were treated and released on the scene. The rear middle passenger,
Sebastion Mendez, suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local
hospital to receive medical treatment.
The initial
on-scene investigation revealed the Ford truck was traveling West on Hickory
Flat Highway, while the Jeep Wrangler began attempting to turn left from the left
turn lane onto the I-575 Northbound on ramp. It was determined through witness
testimony that the driver of the Jeep Wrangler failed to yield while turning, causing
the Ford truck to strike the passenger side of the Jeep Wrangler.
On September
2, 2023, Officers were notified by the Cherokee County Coroner’s Office that
the rear passenger of the Jeep Wrangler, Juan Lorenzo succumbed to his
injuries. Juan Lorenzo’s family has been notified.
The driver
of the Jeep Wrangler, Walter Gaspar was taken into custody and is being held at
the Cherokee County Detention Center where he’s being charged with the
following:
Failure to
Obey Traffic Control Devices (O.C.G.A. 40-6-20) (One (1) count, Misdemeanor)
Driving Without
a Valid License (O.C.G.A. 40-5-20) (One (1) count, Misdemeanor)
Homicide by
Vehicle -2nd Degree (O.C.G.A. 40-6-393) (One (1) count, Misdemeanor)
This
accident is still under further investigation. If anyone has any information,
please contact the Canton Police Department at (770) 720-4883.
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