July 17, 2010

AUGUSTA, Ga.-- A truck driver has died from underlying medical problems after an accident on Highway 56 Friday night, officials said.

Richmond County Coroner Grover Tuten says the driver of a truck hauling golf carts lost control of the vehicle just before 9 p.m.

It happened on the 4200 block of Mike Padgett Highway, in front of the business where the golf carts were being delivered. The truck rolled across the highway and was struck by a silver Honda.

Deputies found Robert James Lackey, 42, dead inside the cab of the truck, Coroner McDonald told News 12 on Saturday.

The driver of the Honda was not seriously hurt.

McDonald believes Lackey had some type of medical emergency, causing him to lose control of the truck. He says Lackey has a family history of heart problems.

"Mr. Lackey was a real nice fellow. I had a weekly relationship with him and I've been knowing Mr. Lackey for about three years," Bill McGlohorn with F&W transport said. "And we was a real nice likable fellow, he did his job and he was good at it."

But McGlohorn doesn't believe Lackey was disabled at the time of the crash. He says there are company cell phone records of Lackey calling 911 and alerting family members after the accident. He says witnesses at the scene saw Lackey get out of the truck and check on the other vehicle after the crash.

He believes the stress of the crash triggered a heart attack once Lackey returned to his vehicle.