At the end of September, a tragic Coweta County car crash occurred that claimed the life of one teen and injured several others. According to Georgia State Patrol, this single-vehicle accident took place around 3:00 a.m. on Smokey Road near Country Lane.
Officials indicated that Joseph Brian Shelnutt, a 17-year-old driver of a 1998 Toyota 4-Runner, traveled on and off the roadway before the vehicle overturned several times. At the time of the wreck, Shelnutt was traveling with three other teenagers. Shelnutt and his front-seat passenger were both ejected in the crash, police say that neither of them was wearing their seat belts.
Sadly, 16-year-old Austin Walker Pope, the front passenger, died of his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Shelnutt was airlifted to Atlanta Medical Center in critical condition with “multi-system trauma.” The other two back seat passengers, Braxton Kexavier Tucker, of Grantville, and Andrew Daryl Mask, of Newnan, both 17-year-olds, were also taken to Atlanta Medical Center. They were both treated for their injuries and discharged by the afternoon.
GSP Trooper Ross Buchan said that they believe alcohol was a factor in this Coweta County crash; however, they are waiting on the results of the toxicology test.
Our Coweta County accident attorneys are saddened to hear of this fatality and would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of Austin Walker Pope. We are also hopeful that Joseph Shelnutt will make a full recovery.
Shane Smith Law urges drivers everywhere not to drink and drive.