News Summary
Hall County witnessed two serious traffic incidents this week, one involving a fire engine collision and another due to suspected DUI. An elderly man was cited for failure to yield after a crash, while a woman faces multiple charges after her vehicle flipped and caught fire following a red light violation. Both incidents highlight ongoing safety concerns regarding traffic violations and impaired driving in the area.
Hall County experienced two significant traffic incidents this week, one involving a collision with a fire engine and another linked to a suspected DUI driver.
Fire Engine Collision
On Tuesday morning at approximately 8:52 a.m., an 83-year-old man identified as Philip Okun from Hoschton was cited for failure to yield after a crash involving a Hall County fire engine. The incident took place at the intersection of State Route 347/Friendship Road and Deaton Creek Parkway.
According to reports, Okun was driving a Kia K5 eastbound on Friendship Road when he attempted to turn left onto Deaton Creek Parkway. During this maneuver, he turned directly in front of a westbound fire engine, which was operated by firefighter Jeffrey Reed responding to an emergency call. The fire engine was unable to stop in time, resulting in a collision with the right side of Okun’s vehicle.
The impact of the collision caused Okun’s Kia to rotate clockwise and come to a halt off the roadway. Fortunately, the fire engine was able to bring itself to a controlled stop within the westbound lanes after the crash. Both Okun and Reed were transported from the scene for treatment of their injuries. The Georgia State Patrol subsequently issued a citation to Okun for failure to yield while turning left.
DUI Crash
In a separate incident on Sunday, a 39-year-old Buford woman named Mariethen G. Aul was arrested and remains in the Hall County Jail, facing multiple charges including DUI and serious injury by vehicle. The crash, which occurred just before 1 a.m. at the intersection of Friendship Road and Hog Mountain Road, involved Aul’s vehicle flipping onto its roof and catching fire after she reportedly ran a red light.
Responding officers were forced to rescue Aul from her burning vehicle while other emergency units worked to extinguish the flames. Emergency Medical Services assessed Aul alongside the two occupants of the other vehicle involved in the incident. Preliminary investigations revealed that Aul was traveling southbound on Hog Mountain Road when she struck another vehicle on the passenger side.
The driver of the second vehicle sustained minor injuries, while a passenger in that vehicle suffered a broken ankle. Aul was subsequently transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for medical clearance before her formal arrest. She now faces charges that include serious injury by vehicle (a felony), DUI, and failure to obey a traffic control device.
Context and Safety Concerns
These incidents underscore ongoing safety concerns related to traffic violations and impaired driving within Hall County. The local authorities are consistently working to address these issues through public safety initiatives and enforcement of traffic regulations.
As investigations continue, updates regarding the conditions of both Philip Okun and Mariethen Aul will be closely monitored. Community leaders emphasize the importance of road safety awareness in preventing such accidents in the future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Now Habersham: Driver Cited After Crash with Hall County Fire Engine
- WGTJ Radio: Buford Woman Jailed Following Fiery Weekend Crash in S. Hall
- Gainesville Times: Gainesville Business Owner Enters Race for Hall Commission Seat
- Google Search: Traffic Accidents Hall County
- LA Times: Orange Bankruptcy Forecast
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
