Multiple emergency agencies responded to a three-car wreck on Georgia Road Saturday afternoon. The wreck occurred about 4:40 p.m. near the entrance to the Country Meadows Community.
According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol report, a 2004 Ford SUV driven by Ricardo Mendoza, 28, of Franklin was traveling north on Hwy. 441 when he lost control of the car and crossed over the center lane. An Ingles transfer truck traveling south in the left-hand lane had swerved into the center lane to avoid a collision as a third vehicle was trying to pass it from the right southbound lane. Mendoza’s vehicle struck the Ingles transfer truck head on and continued across the southbound traffic lanes, coming to rest on the southbound shoulder. After the impact, the truck traveled back into the southbound lane, colliding with the third car as it swerved to try to avoid the impact. The car hit the passenger side of the truck cab and both vehicles caught on fire.
Mendoza was charged with DWI, reckless driving, left of center, open alcohol containers and seatbelt violation. He and a passenger in the vehicle, Jose Hector Mendoza de Los Santos, were transported to Northeast Medical Center in Gainesville, Georgia.
The Ingles truck was driven by Albert Edward Davis, 39, of Waynesville. He and a passenger, Tamaris Miller of Asheville, refused treatment at the scene.
The third vehicle, a 2016 Toyota, was driven by Edwin Patton Hendricks, 73, of Demorest, Georgia. He was transported to Angel Medical Center.
In addition to the Highway Patrol, fire departments from Franklin, Clarks Chapel, Otto, West Macon, Cowee and Macon County Fire Services, Macon County Sheriff’s Office, Macon County EMS and Franklin Police Department were dispatched to the scene.