DNA tests will be used to confirm the identity of a driver killed in a fiery weekend crash on GA 197 North near Lake Burton.
The fatal accident was reported shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday near the intersection of Bobby Brooks Road. Georgia State Patrol Cpl. Casey Coffee of Post 7 in Toccoa says the Ford Escape was traveling north on GA 197 when the driver failed to negotiate a left curve and traveled off the east shoulder of the road. The SUV struck a tree head on and caught fire.
Habersham County Deputy Coroner Ken Franklin says the driver – who was traveling alone – was burned beyond recognition. “We haven’t made a positive ID on the body,” he says. “The body’s not identifiable.”
There was no personal ID found in the wreckage and authorities were unable to immediately determine who owned the vehicle.
In an emailed report of the wreck Coffee says, “I was unable to obtain the registration information and VIN information due to extensive fire damage.”
Authorities were able to retrieve some paperwork from the back of the vehicle that lead them to possible family members. Franklin says, “We are going to compare DNA samples to the body to confirm (the victim’s identity). We know who we think it is but at this point we’re not sure.”
The body will be sent to the State Crime Lab in Atlanta where the tests will be performed. There’s no indication at this point how long that might take.
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Original article: DNA tests to be used to identify fatal crash victim.