Authorities are investigating two deadly truck crashes that happened less than 24 hours apart.

Both accidents occurred in Pike County, about 48 miles south of downtown Atlanta.

In the first, a commercial logging truck overturned while traveling eastbound on Ga. 18 just before 2:40 p.m. Wednesday. The driver, Ricky Lovejoy of Greenville, died on the scene, according to the Pike County Sheriff’s Office.

“The initial investigation has shown that the truck left the roadway for an unknown reason and then turned over after striking a ditch,” authorities said in a Facebook post.

The second accident happened just before 6 a.m. Thursday on Caldwell Road near Flat Rock Church Road. A pickup truck collided with a garbage truck, the sheriff’s office said.

Pickup truck driver Matthew Williams, 18, of Zebulon, died on the scene.

“Traffic investigators are working to determine the underlying causes of both of these tragedies,” authorities said.

In other news:

DeKalb police Lt. Mark Lavigne details shooting of Man outside gated subdivision. Video by John Spink/AJC

About the Author

Keep Reading

Darius Robinson was relieved of coaching duties after his arrest, the Greene County School district said. (Greene County Schools)

Credit: Greene County schools

Featured

Waymo autonomous vehicles operate across 65 square miles inside I-285 and have been involved in six incidents with Atlanta Public School buses since May. Waymo issued a recall because of their cars briefly stopping or slowing down before continuing forward while a bus was stopped and flashing its lights. (Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools)

Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools