Franklin Co. Wreck Leads to Arrest

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia
A wreck in Franklin County leads to a manhunt and an arrest.

It happened early Wednesday morning on State Route 51 when, according to Georgia State Patrol Hartwell Post Assistant Commander Matt Baxley, a witness who saw the wreck tried to help the driver.

Baxley said the witness who tried to help that driver then called 911.

The witness told authorities the driver, identified as a white male with a backpack, fled into the woods.

Baxley says troopers along with deputies from the Franklin County Sheriff’s office were called in to assist in the search.

The search lasted several hours, but by mid-morning, Baxley says the driver had been located.

That driver was identified as Johnny Wade of Franklin County.

Wade was arrested and is charged with driving without a license, DUI, failure to maintain lane, leaving the scene of an accident and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

He was taken to the Franklin County Detention Center to await a bond hearing.