HALL COUNTY, GEORGIA — A trash truck driver was arrested Wednesday after authorities said he overturned a truck loaded with household garbage on Gillsville Highway near Gillsville, was taken to a hospital, and later left the medical facility before deputies found him at a fast food restaurant.
The crash happened around 8:30 a.m. on Gillsville Highway near Suggs Road in eastern Hall County, according to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
Truck Overturned and Spilled Garbage
Investigators identified the driver as Richard George Harvey, 43, of Sugar Hill.
The sheriff’s office said Harvey was driving a 2004 Volvo bobtail semi-truck carrying a load of household garbage northbound on Gillsville Highway when he entered a curve north of Suggs Road and lost control.
Authorities said Harvey was driving too fast for conditions when the crash happened. The truck overturned, dumping trash into the roadway and onto private property.
Earlier reports said Gillsville Highway, also listed as State Route 323, was shut down between Laprad Circle and Holly Springs Road during the morning commute after the big rig carrying garbage overturned.
Driver Located After Leaving Hospital
Harvey was transported from the crash scene to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville for treatment of minor injuries.
While at the hospital, authorities said he fled.
Deputies later located Harvey at a fast food restaurant on South Enota Drive in Gainesville and took him into custody.
Charges and Road Closure
Harvey was charged with failure to maintain lane, driving too fast for conditions, and operating a vehicle with an expired tag. Authorities said he is also facing a warrant out of Gwinnett County.
He was booked into the Hall County Jail, where he remained Wednesday evening without bond.
Gillsville Highway was closed in both directions for several hours following the crash. The roadway partially reopened around 1:45 p.m., and all lanes reopened around 4:40 p.m.
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.
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