Driver charged in wreck which injured 3 Jackson Co. children

Image 1 of 6

Authorities confirm three children were sent to the hospital Thursday morning after a serious wreck in Jackson County.

The accident happened around 7:19 a.m. on U.S. Highway 441 at Hoods Mill Road near Commerce.

According to Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum, two of the injured victims, identified by the Georgia State Patrol as Christopher Hembree, 15, of Jefferson, and Summer Hembree, 15, Commerce, were taken to Athens Regional Hospital and a third child, identified as Keira Hembree, 8, of Commerce, was flown to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. GSP Troopers said the driver, Christopher Hembree, 42, of Commerce, was also injured and taken to Athens Regional.

Jackson County Schools said two of the students attend East Jackson Comprehensive High School and the child goes to East Jackson Elementary School.

“Please keep all involved in your thoughts and prayers,” Jackson County Schools said on Facebook.

GSP Troopers said the 2004 Toyota Camry driven by Hembree somehow crossed into the path of a 2000 Ford F150, driven by Stephen Beauchamp, 40, of Commerce, heading in the opposite direction, causing the vehicles to T-Bone. A 2014 Honda Accord, driven by April Anderson, 36, of Homer, was unable to stop and collided with the other two vehicles. Beauchamp and Anderson were taken to an area hospital to be treated for their injuries.

Christopher Hembree was charged by troopers for failure to yield, DUI drugs, not buckling in a child 8 years or older, and three counts of serious injury by vehicle.

NEXT ARTICLE: Buckhead boutique worker robbed, tied up