Mark Jones
A head-on collision caused a three-vehicle accident on I-75 southbound just south of East Main Street exit 288 after 1:30 on Monday afternoon. The Cartersville Police Department has released their official report on the accident.
A Chevrolet Silverado was traveling north on I-75 in the left-middle lane about a mile south of exit 288. A Chevrolet Equinox was traveling south on I-75 in the middle lane. A Toyota Corolla was directly behind the Equinox traveling south.
The driver of the Silverado, Mark Jones of Dallas, told investigators that a tractor-trailer improperly changed lanes in front of him, causing him to lose control and hydroplane over the median and into the front of the Equinox.
Three Bartow County EMS units responded and found the driver of the Equinox entrapped in his vehicle. After extrication, EMS found the patient to have a fractured femur and possibly a head injury. He was treated and transported to Kennestone Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
After the investigation was completed, it was determined that Jones was driving under the influence. He has been charged with possession of methamphetamine by ingestion, possession of drug related objects, failure to maintain lane, driving too fast for conditions, driving under the influence of drugs, and serious injury by vehicle.
The occupants of the other vehicles were assessed by EMS and did not wish to be transported to the hospital.
The accident initially blocked two lanes, but eventually all southbound lanes had to be shutdown (including the southbound ramp on East Main Street).