Frank Barham, the 59-year-old musician who was traveling 30 miles-a-day towards Savannah in his wheelchair, for charity was killed when a van that had been hit by a loaded gas tractor-trailer crashed into Barham’s wheelchair. According to reports, James Strickland and Margaret Kargbo, were also killed in the accident. 34-year-old Carrie Johnson, who was a passenger in the van, was injured and airlifted to the Doctor's Hospital of Augusta. The charity concert Barham was to play in at Trinity Methodist Church was been canceled. Charges are pending upon the completion of the investigation by Georgia State Patrol's Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team.
Kyrie Henry, a 4-year-old Greendale Elementary School Pre-K student was killed when a school bus and a semi truck crashed. He received severe head trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident according to Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton. Other victims of the crash were taken to Georgia Regents Medical Center. The crash happened near downtown Beech Island, South Carolina. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTSA), school bus passenger fatalities are rare, but about six students die every year from such accidents.
Georgia legislators look to pass stricter driving laws for truck drivers after 10 people died on Interstate 16 in the last month. One accident happened in Bryan County and killed five Georgia Southern nursing students. Another five people were killed last week in Pooler. Both accidents appear to have been caused by truck drivers. Such deadly accidents have caused Georgia lawmakers to draft new legislation for truckers. Rep. Ron Stephens would like to see trucks slowed down and see Super Speeder laws enforced. The bill is being drafted in legislative council with the hope that the bill will pass soon.
When tragedy strikes, it is important to receive immediate medical care and legal advice. African Americans have historically received poorer medical treatment and lower legal settlements, so it is important that victims of trucking accidents have good legal representation. In upholding the mission of our founder, Johnnie Cochran, The Cochran Firm is here when you need us.
