Drowsy Driver Runs Stop Sign, Crashes into Twiggs County Deputy’s Patrol Truck

A Twiggs County Patrol Deputy escaped serious injury late Wednesday night when his patrol vehicle was struck by a driver who had fallen asleep at the wheel.

The incident occurred on April 16, 2025, at 11:11 p.m. as the deputy was patrolling Highway 96, heading towards Jeffersonville. A GMC Yukon exiting Westbound I-16 at the Exit 24 ramp allegedly ran the stop sign and collided with the deputy’s Ford F-150 pickup truck.

The male driver of the Yukon admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel and being unaware of his surroundings. The deputy was protected from serious injury by the deployment of the airbag. The male driver and a female passenger in the Yukon were transported to a local hospital with minor complaints.

The Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office released a statement emphasizing the dangers of drowsy driving. “We are very thankful that there were no serious injuries, or even worse. Please, always pull off the roadway if you are feeling sleepy and if you have a licensed passenger, ask them to take over driving while you rest. Drowsy driving is very serious and can lead to impaired judgment and increased risk of crashing, as in this case. It is comparable to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”

The statement also cited statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, noting that there were 633 deaths from drowsy driving-related crashes in 2023.

The Sheriff’s Office urged the public to call 911 if they witness someone falling asleep at the wheel, reiterating the “if you see something, say something” message, as it could potentially prevent accidents and save lives.