A Blairsville man died and his wife was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash the evening of Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Georgia 515 intersection of Gabriel Drive in Union County.
According to authorities, Gordon Reid Saunders, 85, and his wife Sandra, 77, had just picked up their pet dog from a grooming business inside Victoria’s Center and were leaving at the time of the accident.
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North Georgia News — serving Union County since 1909.
Georgia State Patrol troopers responded to the crash at 5:29 p.m. According to the preliminary investigation, the accident happened when the 2015 Kia Soul driven by Mr. Saunders attempted to make a left onto SR 515 from Gabriel Drive.
Failing to yield, Mr. Saunders turned into the path of a 1998 International 4000 that was traveling east on SR 515; the front of the large work truck then struck the driver’s side of the Kia, according to GSP.
Mr. Saunders succumbed to his injuries at Union General Hospital, while Mrs. Saunders was flown to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with suspected serious injuries, according to GSP; her condition was not known at press time.
The driver of the truck did not sustain any injuries, per GSP. Additionally, the North Georgia News has learned that the pet inside the Kia was also unharmed.
According to his obituary, Saunders “loved spending time with his wife, Sandi, his family and their two dogs, Tootsie and Jack.”
“They loved all animals,” the obituary continues. “He was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather … Gordon was a devout Christian and was active in their church.”
A memorial service will be held at a later date when Sandra recovers and will be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to the Humane Society Mountain Shelter in Mr. Saunders’ memory.
Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. People may sign the family guestbook and send condolences online at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com.
