Crime & Safety

GSP Confirms Death in Monday Crash

An early Monday morning crash on Highway 278 in Hiram seriously injured three children; one child succumbed to his injuries. The Georgia State Patrol continues to investigate the crash.

(Updated 1:05 p.m.) Lt. Paul Cosper of the Georgia State Patrol confirmed early Tuesday afternoon that 6-year-old Derrick McNeal lost his life as a result of his injuries from the crash.

Charges are pending, Cosper said, as the GSP continues to speak to witnesses and investigate the crash.

Our earlier coverage of the crash appears below.

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The Georgia State Patrol on Monday identified the individuals involved in .

Find out what's happening in Dallas-Hiramwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The crash, which happened about 6:37 a.m. on Highway 278 at Lake Road, involved a Ford pickup truck driven by 57-year-pld Hollis Butler Ball of Covington and a Nissan Altima driven by Tameka McNeal, 26, of Memphis, Tenn. Lt. Paul Cosper of the Georgia State Patrol said the crash occurred when the Altima attempted a left turn that put it into path of the Ford, which struck the Altima in the right rear side.

The crash seriously injured 8-year-old Desiree McNeal and her brothers, 6-year-old Derrick McNeal and 4-year-old Trenton McNeal, who were passengers in the Altima. Cosper said Trenton and Desiree McNeal were transported by air to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, while Derrick McNeal was taken to . The status of the three was not immediately known Monday.

Cosper said the three children sustained their serious injuries even though they were properly restrained in the vehicle.

We’ll bring you further updates should they develop.


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