A 69-year old Haralson County man was killed after his vehicle connected with a modular home being hauled on Highway78 early Monday afternoon.
Temple Police Lieutenant Jim Hollowood said Anthony Horace Collins Sr. was behind the wheel of his 1976 Camaro attempting to make a left turn into B&R Auto Group.
“The vehicle carrying the modular home was crested on the top of the hill. According to the driver he was trying to stop and was unable to prior to striking the vehicle. He did swerve to the left to try to avoid. It was the corner of the modular home that actually made contact with the vehicle,” said Hollowood.
One witness claimed the Camaro was dragged approximately 70 feet before the truck hauling the modular home came to a complete stop, at which time the Camaro broke away and traveled another 300 to 400 feet off the roadway.
Hollowood said Collins suffered a large laceration to the back of his head and passed away a short time later due to his injury.
Our listeners may question why a wide load is using Highway 78 instead of Interstate 20.
Hollowood had this to say:
“Because they shortened the width of the lanes through the construction area between Villa Rica and Bremen, the state will not issue any oversize load permits to travel I-20. They all have to get off in Bremen, take Highway 78 and then get back on I-20 in Villa Rica. That is why we have seen a considerable increase in oversized roads on Highway 78.”
Construction on I-20 is expected to continue at least through 2019.
Hollowood said MondayÂ’s accident remains under investigation and charges are pending.
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