Truck Driver Charged in Tuesday’s I-85 Rollover

The driver of the 18-wheeler that overturned Tuesday on I-85 in Franklin County faces charges in Georgia.

It happened about 10a Tuesday morning near mile marker 174 in the SB lane of I-85 near the Franklin/Hart County line.

Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas said the driver of the 18-wheeler, identified as Edward Terwilliger, Jr. of Kershaw, SC drove on to the shoulder of the road, then over-corrected, causing his truck and trailer to overturn and strike the cable barrier in the center median.

The truck landed on its side, crossing all lanes of I-85, trapping the Terwilliger inside the cab.

Lavonia Fire Department responded to the scene, along with the Franklin County Sheriff’s office and the Georgia State Patrol.

According to the Georgia State Patrol incident report, Terwilliger suffered unspecified injuries and was taken by ambulance to AnMed Medical Center in Anderson.

GSP has charged him with failure to maintain lane and not wearing a seatbelt.

It took crews hours to clear the wreck and initial traffic behind the truck was backed up for about three miles.

Motorist coming from South Carolina were diverted off the Interstate at Exit 177 and detoured down SR59 through Lavonia.