By Beth Alston

AMERICUS — One man is dead and another is in jail after a two-car traffic accident Saturday night at the intersection of Southerfield Road and Mayo Street.
The Georgia State Patrol Post 10, Americus, which investigated, was notified at 8:15 p.m. and PFC2 Alec Davis arrived on scene two minutes later.
According to Davis’ initial report, a 2007 Toyota Scion, driven by Darian D. Barker, 23, of 114 Garden Lane, Americus, was traveling southwest on Southerfield Road, while a 2009 Cadillac CTS, driven by Edvado Harris, 46, of Americus, was traveling northeast on Southerfield.
According to the report, Barker turned into the path of Harris’ vehicle, while attempting to turn south onto Mayo Street. The front of the Toyota struck the left rear door and wheel of the Cadillac. After impact, the Toyota came to an uncontrolled rest in a ditch on the southwest side of the intersection. The Cadillac spun counter-clockwise partially, and rolled over one time through the ditch, coming to an uncontrolled rest facing northeast on the northeast side of the intersection.
Harris was injured and taken by EMS to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center for treatment. One of his passengers, Dwayne Holmes, 49, of Americus, was also transported to the hospital, and was pronounced dead a short time later.
Meanwhile Barker, following the crash but before the trooper’s arrival, fled the scene of the accident on foot. The investigating trooper, Davis, later located Barker at a known residence in Americus and placed him under arrest. He is charged with driving while unlicensed, DUI, failure to yield while turning left, felony homicide by vehicle, and leaving the scene of an accident. He was taken to the Sumter County Jail.
The accident investigation has been turned over to the state patrol’s SCRT (specialized crash reconstruction team).