Two passengers drown in Miller Co. wreck

MILLER CO., GA (WALB) - State troopers confirm that two people died in a wreck on GA-91 between Colquitt and Newton.

Two passengers drowned in the crash in a flooded ditch. One victim was 30-year old Tina Butler, and the other was 1-year old Marcus Oates Jr.

There were 4 people in the vehicle. The car was headed north on GA-91 from Colquitt towards Newton.

Troopers believe the driver, 39-year old Marcus Leon Oates, did not see water over the road, and when he hit the water, he hydroplaned, rotated counterclockwise and overturned into the ditch.

The car ended up on its roof submerged under water. Troopers could only see the four tires when they arrived on scene.

The other passenger was 7-year old girl Zhia Franklin. She was flown to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital in critical condition.

The driver swam out and had no injuries.

First responders cut Oates Jr., Butler, and Franklin out of the car. Franklin's condition is being monitored.

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