County teen seriously injured in crash

According to the Georgia State Patrol report, a 15-year-old female was driving a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica north on Grove Level Road when she lost control and traveled off the shoulder of the road. The vehicle struck an embankment, overturned in a field and caught on fire.

The GSP report shows the 15-year-old driver was charged with driving under the influence (DUI), failure to maintain lane and driving in violation of a learner’s permit.

There were also two 16-year-old males and a 15-year-old male in the car.

Banks County Sheriff Charles Chapman reported that Banks County resident Greg Wells, a former Banks County volunteer fireman, who lives on Grove Level Road was doing bush hog work near where the accident occurred.

Wells immediately called 911 and went to the accident scene.

Wells said when he got to the accident scene two teenagers were out of the vehicle and a third teen was trying to get out, but was tangled in the seat belt.

Wells said, “I untangled the seat belt and helped him to safety with the others then I learned a fourth person, a 15-year-old male, was still in the vehicle.”

The vehicle was on fire at this time.

Wells said he looked in the vehicle and the fourth teen was hanging upside down by his seat belt and was semi-conscious.

By this time, two Banks County deputies, Carey Way and Paul Lewallen, had arrived on the scene.
Wells said he used their fire extinguishers on the burning vehicle and was able to get in the car and pull the fourth teen out.

Wells said, “I pulled him about 10 yards from the car and then I fell down. The deputies came and pulled him about another 10 yards and came back to help me. But I was up on my knees and able to get myself away from the car.”

Wells reported he started to assess the injuries to the 15-year-old at this time.

“He had second and third degree burns on about 40 percent of his body,” Wells said.

The 15-year-old was air lifted to Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, by Life Net, Chapman reported. The three other teens complained of minor injuries and were taken to a Gainesville hospital.

Chapman said, “Deputy Way stated when he arrived the vehicle was on fire and in just a couple more minutes it would have been too late.”

Chapman said, “It is certain that Mr. Wells’ actions speak a lot for his character and no doubt his actions saved this persons life.”

Wells said, “God put me in that hay field for a reason that day. I had intended to bush hog over the weekend, but then decided to do it on Thursday.”

Wells suffered burns to his hands, arms and back during the rescue.