An 8-year-old child was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Rabun County Wednesday afternoon, according to a report from the Georgia State Patrol.
The fatal collision happened just after 3:30 on U.S. Highway 76 West near Charlie Mountain Road.
Troopers said Gretchen Echols, 31, of Clayton was driving a Ford Taurus on Highway 76 when she lost control of the car and traveled into the oncoming lane of traffic, striking a Ford F150. The front of the truck hit the rear door of the passenger side of the car.
As a result, Ian Echols, who was in the back right passenger seat of the car, was killed. The passenger in the back left passenger seat, Xavier Ankrom, 9, of Clayton was injured and transported to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Gretchen Echols suffered critical injuries and at last report was in ICU at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
The driver of the truck was identified as Clyde Martin, 68, of Clayton. He was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for treatment of what troopers described as minor injuries.
The accident remains under investigation.
