East Dublin man killed after truck leaves road, hits tree

A man died after his truck went off the road, overturned and hit a tree Thursday.

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A 66-year-old East Dublin man died from injuries after his truck left the road, overturned and hit a tree Thursday.

According to a Georgia State Patrol crash report, Phil Rawlings was traveling south on Ga. 117 in a tan 2004 Chevrolet Silverado when the accident occurred at 2:44 p.m. Thursday, July 9. 

The investigation revealed that Rawlings failed to maintain his lane and went to the east shoulder of Ga. 117. The vehicle traveled for approximately 87 feet while rotating counter-clockwise. The Chevrolet overturned on its roof, causing its trailer to detach. Both continued going south on the east shoulder for about 47 feet.

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The trailer overturned and came to an uncontrolled final stop. The Chevrolet went approximately 34 feet overturned, with the back of the vehicle striking a tree. The truck came to an uncontrolled stop, about 24 feet from the road.

No other vehicle was involved in the incident.

Rawlings was pronounced dead a the scene at 3:38 p.m. by Laurens County Deputy coroner Alfred Pearson.

“It is a sad situation,” said Laurens County Coroner Richard Stanley. 

Author

A go-to reporter wearing a variety of hats, Payton stays on top of local matters in the areas of politics, crime, courts, public safety and humanitarianism, just to name a few. He also writes frequent human interest pieces and holds down the City of Dublin and Laurens County Schools government beats. Originally from Milledgeville, he has resided and worked in Dublin since joining The Courier Herald in 2005.

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