A motorist from Gainesville escaped serious injury when her car ran off the road late yesterday afternoon and ended up on its top in a creek.

According to details released by Investigator David Garrison, Traffic Specialist with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, the motorist was identified as Sandy Callis, age 41, of Gainesville.

Investigator Garrison said Ms. Callis was westbound on State Route 306 (Keith Bridge Road) near Cantrell Circle when she swerved to avoid an oncoming small blue car that crossed the centerline into her lane.   When her wheels hit the ice and snow covered shoulder of the road, her 2005 Buick LaCrosse overturned down a steep embankment and ended up in the creek.   Ms. LaCrosse was trapped in her vehicle and had to be extricated by Fire Department personnel.

According to Forsyth County Deputy First Class Mark Seabolt, who was one of the first responders on scene, Ms. Callis was saved by her seatbelt which kept her body out of the waist-deep water.  She was hanging upside down in the car, Seabolt said.   Seabolt held Ms. Callis’ head of out of the water to keep her from drowning.  DFC Seabolt and Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Kenneth Yarbrough attended to Ms. Callis until the Fire Department  arrived on-scene with rescue equipment. Ms. Callis was entrapped about 30 minutes, then was transported by ambulance to North Fulton Hospital where she was treated for hypothermia.   

Ms. Callis was alone in her car, Garrison said, and the identity of the driver of the blue car is unknown.  Drugs and alcohol were not a factor in this wreck, Garrison added.

The first 911 call reporting the accident was received at 3:44 p.m.  The accident caused S.R. 306 to be completely shut down until 5:30 p.m.

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