Two killed, three injured in Newton accident

Alcohol may have contributed to the deaths of two motorists and injuries to three others in a three-vehicle wreck early Sunday on I-20 in Newton County, the Georgia State Patrol said.

According to GSP spokesman Gordy Wright, a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic ran out of fuel and was stopped on the south shoulder of I-20 eastbound near mile marker 87 in Newton County.

A 1997 Toyota Camry had pulled into the right travel lane to assist the Sonic’s driver when a 2004 Jeep Patriot, driven by Kevin Poynter, 28, of Conyers struck the Camry in the rear and side-swiped the Sonic around 3:30 a.m.

A pedestrian between the Sonic and the Camry was killed, and a passenger in the Camry also died in the crash, Wright said.

GSP declined to release the names of the deceased until the next of kin could be notified.

Alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor in the wreck and blood was drawn from Poynter for analysis, Wright said.

The investigation is continuing.

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Leon Stafford

Leon Stafford covers south metro government

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