Witnesses: Car in McGinnis Ferry Fatal Accident 'Swerving and Accelerating' ... 'Did Not Have Lights On'

A witness to the November double-fatality, head-on collision on McGinnis Ferry Road in Suwanee told police that the wrong-way vehicle "was swerving and accelerating" shortly before the accident.

Another witness said the "vehicle traveling the wrong way did not have any lights on," according to the police investigation.

The crash on the evening of November 28 killed both David Dowdy of Bogart and Jean Strickland of Suwanee. Seriously injured was Mike Strickland, Jean Strickland's son, who was driving their vehicle.

Lawrenceville Police compiled the report, as they worked with Suwanee Police at the accident scene.

As previously reported by Suwanee Patch, the Gwinnett Medical Examiner has ruled that neither of the drivers "showed signs of alcohol impairment or illicit drug use."

About 5:30 p.m., the Pontiac driven by Dowdy traveling westbound on McGinnis Ferry Road near Scales Road crossed the center line and hit the Mercedes driven by Mike Strickland. The police report noted that the collision occurred at "night/darkness hours," that visibility was "good" and traffic was "medium."

A co-worker of Dowdy's told police that he last saw Dowdy about 5:30 p.m. Dowdy was to meet the co-worker for dinner at the co-worker's apartment.

The co-worker said he sent Dowdy a text message sometime around 6 p.m., but never received a reply. Food and beverages purchased for the dinner were found inside Dowdy's vehicle.

Dowdy's cell phone was not found at the crash scene. Also, efforts to obtain Dowdy's phone records through the Gwinnett District Attorney's Office were not successful.

"It is unknown what if any part David Dowdy’s cellular telephone use at or about the time of the collision played ... in the collision," the report says.

See also:

• McGinnis Ferry-Scales Intersection To Get Traffic Light

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