EVANS, Columbia County, Ga., Oct. 15, 2026 — A 17-year-old died on Wednesday night, October 14, after a two-vehicle crash near the I-20 eastbound on-ramp in Evans, according to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. The teen was a passenger in one of the vehicles involved.
Deputies responded just before 9 p.m. to Jimmie Dyess Parkway at the I-20 eastbound ramp. A 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA was headed north on Jimmie Dyess Parkway when a 2010 Chrysler Sebring, traveling south on S Belair Road, turned left into its path. Traffic camera footage reportedly shows the Chrysler turning in front of the Mercedes, whose front end struck the Chrysler's passenger side.
The passenger, identified by the sheriff's office as 17-year-old Amiya Hogan of Snellville, was taken to Doctors Hospital, where she died of her injuries. She was pronounced dead at 11:48 p.m.
The report places fault with the driver of the Chrysler. Charges of failure to yield while turning left and second-degree vehicular homicide are pending against that driver. The crash remains under investigation.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
What Makes a T-Bone Crash at an Intersection So Dangerous
A crash where one vehicle turns across the path of another concentrates the impact on the side of the struck car, the part of a vehicle with the least amount of crush space between the occupant and the point of impact. A front bumper and crumple zone are built to absorb a head-on hit. A door and side panel are not built the same way, so a side strike transfers more force straight into the passenger compartment.
Closing speed matters as much as the angle. Even at moderate speeds, the combined motion of a vehicle moving forward and one turning across it can produce a hit harder than either driver expects. The heavier vehicle in the collision tends to keep moving after impact, while the lighter one absorbs more of the force.
Seat belts and side airbags reduce that force before it reaches an occupant, but they work best when paired with the seating position of a passenger relative to the point of impact. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2,148 young drivers ages 15 to 20 died in traffic crashes in 2023, a reminder that teenage passengers and drivers remain exposed on ordinary roads, not just highways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does speed change how survivable a crash is?
Yes. Even modest increases in speed raise the force an occupant absorbs during impact, and that force increases faster than speed itself. A crash at 45 mph is far more severe than one at 30 mph, not just moderately worse.
Why does wearing a seat belt matter so much in a crash like this?
A seat belt keeps an occupant positioned where airbags and the vehicle structure are designed to protect them. Without one, a person can be thrown into the dashboard, door, or another occupant, which sharply raises the risk of serious injury or death.
What should a family do after a fatal crash?
Families can request a copy of the official crash report from the responding agency once it's finalized, and can ask the agency about the status of any pending charges. Many also find it helpful to speak with the coroner's or medical examiner's office directly for documentation needed afterward.
How do investigators determine fault in a crash like this?
Investigators typically review physical evidence at the scene, any available camera or dash-cam footage, witness statements, and vehicle data to reconstruct the sequence of events before issuing a report and any citations.
What to Do After a Turning Crash in Evans, GA
Anyone involved in a crash should seek medical evaluation, even if injuries aren't immediately apparent, since some symptoms can take hours to appear. Keep copies of medical records, the police report number, and any correspondence with insurers in one place. If a loved one was a passenger in a crash, reaching out to the investigating agency, in this case the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, can help with questions about the report's status or any charges filed. Local victim services or grief support resources in Columbia County can also provide guidance during the days following a loss.
