ATHENS-On Monday morning, August 19, Police Chief Floyd Johnson issued a statement concerning an accident that occurred on US 31 south of US72 that resulted in the death of one person and the downing of utility pole:
This morning (Monday, August 19) at approximately 12:23 there was a one vehicle accident on US 31 south of US 72. The accident is currently under investigation however at this time it appears one vehicle was traveling north on US 31. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a utility pole. The driver was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene of the accident.
Currently we are not able to release the name of driver till the family has been notified. From all indications the driver was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the accident.
Athens Utilities is currently working to replace the pole. Traffic on the north bound side of US 31 is limited to one lane till there finished working.
Mason Glenn Gilliland 23 of Athens died early this morning from injuries he received as the result of the accident on US 31 south of US 72.
