Heavy fog caused a fatal car pile up in Mitchell county - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Heavy fog caused a fatal car pile up in Mitchell county

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By Ryan Houston - bio | email

ALBANY,  GA (WALB)- A five car pileup on a fog- shrouded highway killed a Camilla man early this morning. 49-year-old David Bell was headed to work at Autry State Prison, when he pulled off Highway 19.

Troopers say, he apparently tried to make a U-turn and hit another car. That set the stage of a chain-reaction crash that injured several people.

Broken glass and car rubble covered parts of US 19 North, in Mitchell County this morning. "It was tail lights going everywhere," said Blue Bell Salesman Matt Roberts.

"The fog was really dense at the time of the crash. And that played a role in the accident," said Senior Trooper Kenneth Jones. 

Matt Roberts who works for Blue Bell, was on his way to work , and saw the destruction right before his eyes. "I went to help another gentleman lying in the ditch. I didn't notice the other guy next to him, right beside the car on fire," said Roberts. 

Investigators say, the brown Oldsmobile was traveling north in the left lane. And 49-year-old David Bell, in his green Bonneville was on the right. "Because of the fog, we're suspecting that he turned into the Oldsmobile. The Oldsmobile overturned and caused a series of other wrecks," said Trooper Jones.

"It was a mess man. There was a gentleman lying on the side of the road. It was another guy on fire next to his truck."

Bell was not wearing a seat belt, and was thrown from his vehicle. He was pronounced dead on the scene. "I just wanted to try and do something to help. A lot goes through your mind. You just have to do something," said Roberts. 

Thick and heavy fog made it hard for other drivers to see. "The driver of the green Bonneville, didn't see the brown Oldsmobile coming up," said

However in this tragic tale, Matt Roberts did see and learn a valuable lesson. "Kiss your wife and kids before you go to work. You never know what's going to happen. Don't speed in the fog," said Roberts. 

Whenever you're driving in fog, don't let it cloud your thinking, about safety on the roads.

The other drivers in the wreck, were released from Mitchell County Hospital this morning. They only suffered minor injuries.

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