Driver rescued after car plunges into creek

Photo byDaniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com

A driver had a close call late Saturday in northern Habersham when his car ran off the road into a creek.

Officials say around 11:22 p.m. on June 15, Habersham County E-911 received a call about a submerged vehicle in Hollywood.

The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) investigated the wreck.

According to GSP's preliminary accident report, 19-year-old Timothy Villagomez of Clarkesville was driving a Honda Accord northbound on Ernest Dover Road. Troopers say he failed to maintain his lane in the curve, traveled down an embankment, and overturned in Deep Creek.

The car landed on its roof and was submerged in approximately three feet of water, the report states.

Photo byDaniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com

A retired firefighter helped get Villagomez to safety. Habersham County Emergency Services transported him to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Demorest with non-life-threatening injuries.

GSP Public Information Officer Courtney Lund says the trooper issued Villagomez a warning for distracted driving, failure to maintain lane, and driving too fast for conditions.