One dead, three injured after Sunday crash
Nov 02, 2009 | 3716 views | 11 11 comments | 27 27 recommendations | email to a friend | print
One man is dead after a crash that occurred Sunday night on highway 53. The crash left three more people injured and shut down part of the highway for nearly 90 minutes.

According to officials with the Georgia State Patrol, Post 43, Johnnie Fortner, 48 of Calhoun was killed after he crossed the median on highway 53 and struck an oncoming 2001 Ford Explorer.

Fortner was traveling north bound on 53 when his vehicle crossed the median. Fortner continued traveling north in the south bound lane.

The driver and two passengers inside the Explorer all sustained injuries, according to the State Patrol.

The driver of the Explorer Tammy Dowd of Plainville, was taken by medical flight to Erlanger Medical Center.

One passenger, James Dowd was taken to Gordon Hospital, along with a male juvenile. The juvenile was later transported to Erlanger as well.

A part of highway 53 in front of Meadowdale Church was closed from 7:52 p.m. to 9:22 p.m.

The crash is still under investigation and officers are not sure if drugs or alcohol played an active role in the accident.
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comments (11)
« Janine_B wrote on Sunday, Dec 20 at 06:06 PM »
my name is Janine. I had the great honor of knowing Tammy and I am trying to fine out how she is. I was there when her son was born and I know she has not one mean bone in her body. She has a heart of gold!!! PLEASE if anyone has any info on her please email me with it @ iowa_gurl_32@yahoo.com

I now live in Iowa again and have no way of getting ahold of Phillip or her siblings. My prayers are with her and her family and I am desperate to get ahold of someone to let me know her status. :(
« fonkay wrote on Thursday, Nov 12 at 02:05 AM »
I would like for the Dowd and Fortner family to know that each one involved in the accident were being prayed for at the accident by many people who gathered together to pray.

Please keep us posted on how Tammy is doing and if possible let us know how her husband and child are as well.

I have been wondering how everyone is and have continued to keep you all in prayer.
« Pennigran wrote on Sunday, Nov 08 at 05:28 AM »
I am another sister of Tammys She is Fighting hard on what seems to be hundreds of machines but we all know what is keeping her here the love of so many people, who are praying for her, God in heaven has kept her here for another week as I look at her hanging on with every breath I can only imagine what must be going on in her mind, She has fought many battles as we all have she has been there for me and so many people please continue to fight in spirit and in prayer she has so much more to give she has a 9 year old child to raise Tammy McGaha Dowd is an angel on earth!
« MOMMY04050880 wrote on Friday, Nov 06 at 09:10 PM »
MEMYSELFANDI UR SO RIGHT , SHE HAS HELPED MY MOM IN TIME IN NEED AND IVE MET HER AT THE HUDDLE HOUSE WE LIVE IN CALHOUN WE WOULD GO THERE TO EAT WITH MY GRANDPAWPAW , AND THE DAY THAT I MET HER I JUST LOVED AND HER FAMILY , MY MOM AND HER ARE VERY CLOSE JUST LIKE TAMMY AND HER SON , I TALK TO MY MOM AND GET UPDATE ON TAMMY AND IM SO HAPPY THAT SHES STILL HERE AND HER SON AND HUBBY ARE OKAY , I JUST LOVE TAMMY LIKE A MOTHER , SHE SWEET KIND LOVING CARING AND I THOUGHT I COULD NEVER FIND A GOOD PERSON TO MY MOM TO HAVE AS A FRIEND THAT I REALLY LIKE TOO , I HOPE AND PRAY THAT TAMMY GETS BETTER AND STABLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW HER SHES A FIGHTER AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN , WE LOVE HER AND DEAR LORD PLEASE HELP TAMMY GET BETTER AND BE ABLE GET THE SURGERY THAT SHE NEEDS , AND BE ABLE TO HEAR HER HUBBY AND SONS VOICE AND IN THEIR VOICES THAT THEY REALLY NEED HER AND GETS BETTER AND WAKES UP ,
« memyselfandI wrote on Wednesday, Nov 04 at 09:39 PM »
Instead of criticizing anyone involved in the crash or the people who reported it please be good people and expend your time and energy to help the people who were involved.
« memyselfandI wrote on Wednesday, Nov 04 at 09:36 PM »
Tammy Dowd is one of the kindest, most selfless human beings I have ever met. I am a previous employee of hers when she was manager at the Calhoun Huddle House. She personally organized a collection for childrens christmas to collect donations and toys for less fortunate children who might otherwise received nothing on x-mas day. On a more personal note she went and bought a kitchenful of groceries from her own money for me and my family when we had nothing to eat. She was never asked for her charity, it came from her heart. She also provided meals for people who had nothing to eat and gave them shelter from the elements during the cold months of winter all at her own expense. No one ever asked her to do these things and she never expected anything in return. I pray that the members of this community will come together and help this family in their time of need by setting up a collection to help pay for the medical bills they will have. My prayers go out to tammy, her husband , son, and family. I pray that they will be ok and recover without complication. Please help them with the same love and selflessness that they have shown to others over the years. They are truly good people and didnt deserve this tragedy. I hope the true christians of this community will show their love and compassion in these wonderful peoples time of need and take the burden of money off their shoulders during this holiday season as they have done for so many others. Thankyou Dowd family from the bottom of my heart i will never forget what you have done for me and others.
« CHIXON wrote on Wednesday, Nov 04 at 12:39 AM »
My sister was the driver of the other car in the accident, she is in critical condition at this time in the trauma unit at Erlanger. My families prayers are with the Fortner family in the loss of their loved one. Such a tradgedy to have hit all of the families involved.
« shadwellmtk wrote on Tuesday, Nov 03 at 04:01 PM »
A simple comment that police were continuing to investigate the cause of the accident would have been fine. To imply any guilt or wrongdoing is not helpful to anyone including the families who have suffered.
« DixieRose wrote on Tuesday, Nov 03 at 10:58 AM »
Dear Lord, Please hold all of these families in your arms as they are facing this very tragic time. Amen! Our hearts & prayers go out to all of these families.
« Iseeretards wrote on Tuesday, Nov 03 at 09:18 AM »
To cmoore3984: You are absolutely correct..the first impression that I got from reading the story was that officers had a reason to suspect drugs and/or alcohol. The last line should have been omitted from the story and the cause of the accident could be posted in a follow-up article...poor judgment by a reporter and editor!!!! To the families involved, I wish for a speedy recovery of the injured and feel for the loss the Fortners are experiencing.
« cmoore3984 wrote on Monday, Nov 02 at 01:32 PM »
I am sorry for the loss Mr. Fortner's family is experiencing and hope the Dowd's reach a full recovery.

I am disappointed the paper felt the need to include the last sentence. It leaves the reader with an implied idea that Mr. Fortner could have been under the influence, when it could have just as easily been health issues - heart attack or stroke. Leaving the reader with this as their lost thought is disrespectful to the grieving family.

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