UPDATE | Passenger in double-fatal Belair Road crash identified

Monday, Feb. 26, 2018

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Another victim in a deadly accident on Belair Road at Columbia Road has been identified as 55-year-old Jonathan Lee Faulk. Faulk was a passenger in Bernice Andrews, Jr.'s vehicle.

Law enforcement says Andrews was behind the wheel of a black Nissan that crossed the center turn lane driving into oncoming traffic. Faulk died in the crash, and Andrews died in the hospital Monday morning.

Chief Deputy Coroner Harriet Garrison says the initial cause of death for Faulk is not clear.

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- According to the Columbia County Coroner's Office, the driver involved in a fatal accident on Belair Road and Columbia Road has also passed away.

The coroner's office has identified the driver as 60-year-old Bernice "Bernie" Andrews Jr. of North Augusta.

Law enforcement says Andrews was behind the wheel of a black Nissan that crossed the center turn lane driving into oncoming traffic. The passenger in his vehicle died at the scene Sunday afternoon, according to officials.

Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018

(News 12 at 11)

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- One person is dead and another is in the hospital after a four car pile up on Belair near Columbia Rd.

"It's emotional when anyone dies, especially when you see it."

Stephanie Cieniewicz was coming in for her shift. She didn't expect what happened next.

"I had just walked into work and I heard some loud banging noises." She then, "turned around as the car was rolling up onto the curb where, the black car, where it ultimately ended up."

Deputies say for unknown reasons, a black Nissan crossed the center turn lane. It first made impact with the front of a blue Ford F150. The Nissan spun counterclockwise, then made its way into oncoming traffic investigators told News 12.

"It was very scary just because I have never in my life seen anything that bad."

Once the Nissan spun into oncoming traffic, it hit the right side of a red Chevrolet. The impact caused both cars to make it all the way to the outside right lane. The red Chevrolet then hit the white Chevy.

"Absolutely horrible anytime that anyone is killed in a car accident. I don't even know the people," Cieniewicz said as a tear streamed down. "But it makes me sad for them."

The driver, who was extricated from the black Nissan by deputies, is being treated at AUMC. The passenger died on scene.

It's a Sunday Stephanie Cieniewicz will never forget. She waiting to know who was involved in the horrible afternoon wreck.

"It's definitely going to affect the course of the day but I don't know about here on out. I guess it's going to depend on who it was if I actually know them."

News 12 is still waiting to learn who died in that crash. The deputy coroner tells us they're having a hard time notifying the family of the victim. The driver was taken to the hospital for emergency treatment but no word on how they're doing now.

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Columbia County investigators say one person was taken to Augusta University Medical Center for emergency treatment after a multiple vehicle accident on Columbia and Belair Roads.

Major Morris with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office says deputies were called to the scene at 4:13 p.m. There they found a black Nissan Maxima was going south down Belair Road when the driver went across the center turn lane and drove into the oncoming lane.

The Maxima then hit the front of a blue Ford F-150 going north on Belair Road. After crashing into the F-150, the car rotated into the northbound lanes of traffic, into the path of a red Chevrolet Tahoe. Both the Tahoe and the Maxima then hit a white Chevrolet Tahoe that was behind the F-150.

The driver of the Nissan Maxima was taken to Augusta University Medical Center. A passenger in the same car was pronounced dead at the scene.

Debris on the roads and the vehicles in the road blocked to traffic. Shortly after, deputies routed traffic into the southbound lanes.

The identity of the driver and the victim is not clear at this time. It's not clear why the driver of the Nissan Maxima crossed into on-coming traffic.

The investigation is ongoing.

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Columbia County Coroner Vernon Collins tells us at least one person is dead after an accident on Belair Road and Columbia Road.

The coroner said they are working on identifying the victim and notifying the next of kin.

It's not clear if there is more than one victim at this time.

News 12 NBC 26 has a crew on the scene. We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more.

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Columbia County deputies are on the scene of a multiple vehicle crash on Belair Road and Columbia Road.

Columbia County dispatch says the crash was called in around 4:15 Sunday afternoon. It was called in with injuries.

The northbound lanes in the area are closed, but deputies are routing traffic around the site.

News 12 NBC 26 has a crew on the way. We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more.