The impact pushed all three vehicles onto the north shoulder of the road and trapped both drivers underneath the ambulance, troopers said.
A man who stopped to help his stranded grandson on the side of the road was killed Sunday night when an ambulance crashed into the broken down vehicle just outside of Athens, according to Georgia State Patrol troopers.
Troopers with the Georgia State Patrol said the crash happened around 9:50 p.m. Sunday on Atlanta Highway east of Whitehead Road in Oconee County.
Troopers said a white Toyota Camry had broken down in the westbound lane of Atlanta Highway. His grandfather, identified as John Carter Martin of Monroe, Georgia, stopped his maroon Ford F-150 to help his grandson.
Martin parked his truck in front of the Camry while both drivers got out of their vehicles and began trying to fix the car, according to GSP.
While they were outside the vehicles, a Northeast Georgia Medical Center ambulance traveling westbound struck the rear of the disabled Camry.
The impact pushed all three vehicles onto the north shoulder of the road and trapped both the grandfather and the grandson underneath the ambulance, investigators said.
Martin died at the scene from his injuries. His grandson was seriously hurt and was taken to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center for treatment.
The Georgia State Patrol Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is ᴀssisting with the investigation. Troopers said charges could be filed once the investigation is complete.
“Our hearts go out to everyone involved in the accident and their loved ones. We are cooperating with the accident investigation and providing mental and emotional support to staff members who have been impacted,” a spokesperson from Northeast Georgia Medical Center said in a statement.
