Tragedies have struck the area hard the last few days with multiple families grieving after losing loved ones in automobile accidents.

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle accident in East Dublin that occurred late Sunday night when a vehicle driven by a man from Milan failed to maintain his lane resulting in a head-on at the intersection of Highway 29 South and J.W. Warren Road in East Dublin. The driver of the first vehicle was declared deceased at the scene with the other driver and her 16-year-old daughter who was a student at Treutlen County High School, taken to Fairview Park Hospital where they both later succumbed to their injuries as well. Two other occupants of one of the vehicles were not seriously injured.

Additional vehicle accidents claiming the lives of area residents within the last week resulted in the death of Austin Norris of Collins who died after the tire on her truck blew and the vehicle flipped. Norris was ejected in the accident with the truck pinning her beneath it. She died at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah on Sunday, May 3. Austin was 22 years of age and an avid horse rider and participant in competitive horse-riding events.

And Josie Conner of Lyons died last weekend after being in an automobile accident near Augusta. She was 25 years of age and was employed as a valued member in the cafeteria of Toombs County Middle School.

GoFundMe accounts have been set up for the families of Austin Norris and Josie Conner to cover their medical and funeral expenses.

Also losing her life on Wednesday, April 29, was Alicia Hartley, Montgomery County Schools Director of Special Learners, who passed away after an automobile accident in Treutlen County. She had devoted her career to special needs children for more than 30 years.