Box Truck Overturns, Other Accidents Mar Memorial Day Traffic in Georgia

Cornelia, Georgia — Memorial Day travelers faced delays on Monday due to an overturned box truck on GA 365, which caused significant traffic disruptions. The accident was reported shortly before 5 p.m. on May 26, blocking the southbound lanes between US 441 Business and Level Grove Road for more than two hours.

The highway and the on-ramp to GA 365 at the Cornelia exit have since reopened, but traffic was backed up for miles toward Demorest and Tallulah Falls. The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the cause of the accident. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries.

This incident was part of a troubling trend over the Memorial Day weekend, during which at least 11 fatalities were confirmed on Georgia’s roads. According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, deadly crashes were reported in various counties, including Cobb, Clayton, Candler, Richmond, and Peach.

One of the more severe incidents occurred in Perry, South Georgia, involving two motorcyclists on I-75. No fatalities were reported in Northeast Georgia, where the majority of the traffic incidents took place. As holiday travelers are expected to increase this year, officials had initiated ‘Operation Observation,’ a traffic safety initiative aimed at reducing reckless driving.

Georgia authorities expected heavy traffic throughout the state, particularly with AAA projecting that 87% of holiday travelers would drive at least 50 miles from home, the highest level since 2005.

In a separate incident, a late-night fire erupted at the Fieldale Farms poultry processing plant in Cornelia. Fire Chief Billy Jenkins confirmed there were no injuries, but the extent of the damage is currently unknown. The fire broke out shortly before 10:40 p.m. on May 25 and prompted an extensive emergency response from multiple firefighting units.

Eyewitnesses described the fire as loud and intense, with one resident noting a “big boom” that suggested a possible explosion. Firefighters worked through the night, and by approximately 2:15 a.m. Monday, they had extinguished the flames. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is now investigating the cause.

Officials from Fieldale Farms and the city manager were unavailable for comments on the situation.