Law enforcement officials released the name of the woman killed in a three car accident in Liberty County just before 6 a.m. Monday. The two other adults injured in the accident have also been identified.
Rebecca Dates, 36, was a mother of four children, all of whom were in the car with her when the accident occurred. A 14 year-old girl has serious injuries, and the other children, ages 8, 10 and 13, sustained minor injuries, according to Sgt. David Laff with the Georgia State Patrol. The children were initially taken to Winn Army Community Hospital, and then to Memorial in Savannah, according to the GSP.
Dates, a Hinesville resident, was turning left on Smiley Hall Road in the direction of Riceboro when her 2009 Dodge Caliber was rear ended, pushing her vehicle into oncoming traffic.
Seleste Plancarte, 21, of Allenhurst, hit Dates’ car from behind, according to the GSP. She was driving a 2004 GMC Envoy. Plancarte sustained minor injuries from the crash and was taken to Liberty Regional Medical Center where she was treated and released.
When Dates’ car was propelled forward by the impact into oncoming traffic, her car was struck by James Wright, 52, of Jesup. Wright was driving a 2007 Chevy Impala in the opposite direction. According to earlier accounts, it took 40 minutes to extricate Wright from his vehicle. He was taken to Memorial in Savannah to be treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries.
The accident is under investigation by the GSP’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team. The Midway police were first on the scene, and the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, along with the fire departments from Riceboro and Midway, also responded to the wreck.
Dates, a Liberty County School System employee, left a void with her passing, school officials said.
“The entire Liberty County School System extends our deepest sympathy to the family of the late Ms. Rebecca Dates. Ms. Dates was employed as a paraprofessional at Frank Long Elementary School. Her dedication and commitment made her an integral part of the school and the community. Counselors have been and will continue to be available to those impacted by this tragic loss,” said Dr. Patti Crane, LCSS Chief Academic Officer.
The Courier will continue to follow up on this story as it develops.