A single-car accident claimed the life of an Augusta teen and left his juvenile passenger hospitalized.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) responded to the scene at Twiggs Street and Laney Walker Boulevard following reports of a traffic accident with injuries. According to the RCSO, the incident occurred at approximately 5:29 a.m. Thursday. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a vehicle that had veered off the road and collided with a tree. Inside the vehicle were two juveniles, one of whom was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
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The deceased has been identified as 17-year-old Jermaine Omar Odom Jr., from the 500 block of Richmond Hill Road. Odom was pronounced dead by authorities at 6:17 a.m. Thursday, Coroner Mark Bowen said.
The RCSO report indicates that the vehicle, traveling west on the 1200 block of Twiggs Street, was moving at a high rate of speed before the driver lost control, resulting in the fatal crash. The other juvenile, whose identity has not been disclosed, was rushed to Augusta University Medical Center (AUMC) for treatment. The extent of their injuries remains undisclosed at this time.
In response to the incident, the Richmond County STAR Team and the Coroner’s Office were deployed to the scene to conduct investigations. The Coroner’s Office is currently leading the investigation into the fatal crash.
Following the completion of initial investigations and necessary procedures, Twiggs Street between Laney Walker Boulevard and Wrightsboro Road has been reopened to traffic.
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