Cops say DUI soldier drives through Gum Branch cemetery, damaging gravesites - Coastal Courier

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Cops say DUI soldier drives through Gum Branch cemetery, damaging gravesites

Lewis Levine

Updated: May 27, 2017, 2:58 AM

Published: May 27, 2017, 3:02 AM

A Fort Stewart soldier is charged with DUI and reckless driving after he drove off a road and into Gum Branch Baptist Cemetery on Friday night

The soldier, Staff Sgt. Keith Carter, 33, drove his car off the road at the intersection of Highway 196 and John Wells Road around 7 p.m. and had been speeding, according to Georgia State Patrol Trooper Markus White.

Carter wasn't injured, but his car knocked down a power pole before plowing through the cemetery, damaging at least five gravesites. Several headstones had also been knocked down and were strewn around the cemetery.

White said police were warned to be on the lookout for the car – a 2014 Dodge Challenger -- about 15 minutes prior to the accident.

White said Carter admitted to texting while driving as well. He could face additional charges, according to the GSP.

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Interstate lane closures, detours set

Traffic shift in effect for 20 days near Savannah Airport

GaDOT

Coastal Courier

Updated: Apr 17, 2018, 9:30 AM

Published: Apr 17, 2018, 9:54 AM

The Georgia Department of Transportation continues to improve highway infrastructure throughout the area. As a result, work on construction and maintenance projects will continue through Saturday. Closure schedules may change due to weather or other factors.

Lane closures by county are scheduled as follows:

Bryan County

· From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday I-16 Westbound from US 80/Exit 143 to SR 119/Exit 137 will have single-lane closures for bridge rehabilitation work.

Chatham County I-95 Resurfacing

· There will be continuous double-lane closures and a shift in traffic patterns for 20 days near the Savannah Airport as approach slabs at Pipemakers Bridge are replaced. Lane closures will be in effect between mileposts 103 and 104 Monday, and ramp closures at Exit 102 will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday and Tuesday.

Liberty County

· From 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. through May 12, there will be nightly ramp closures with detours at I-95 exits 76 and 67 to replace existing concrete on ramps.

For more information about travel conditions on Georgia’s interstates and state routes, call 511. More information is also available at www.511ga.org.

The Georgia Department of Transportation continues to improve highway infrastructure throughout the area. As a result, work on construction and maintenance projects will continue through Saturday. Closure schedules may change due to weather or other factors.

Lane closures by county are scheduled as follows:

Bryan County

· From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday I-16 Westbound from US 80/Exit 143 to SR 119/Exit 137 will have single-lane closures for bridge rehabilitation work.

Chatham County I-95 Resurfacing

· There will be continuous double-lane closures and a shift in traffic patterns for 20 days near the Savannah Airport as approach slabs at Pipemakers Bridge are replaced. Lane closures will be in effect between mileposts 103 and 104 Monday, and ramp closures at Exit 102 will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday and Tuesday.

Liberty County

· From 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. through May 12, there will be nightly ramp closures with detours at I-95 exits 76 and 67 to replace existing concrete on ramps.

For more information about travel conditions on Georgia’s interstates and state routes, call 511. More information is also available at www.511ga.org.

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