Bystanders rushed into action after witnessing the violent crash that sent a pickup truck plunging off the highway and into a creek Thursday morning. They pulled 48-year-old Cleveland Stallings of Hamilton from the mangled wreckage, dragging him up onto the creek bank where they immediately began CPR and other lifesaving measures. Their hands worked frantically against time, mud, and water, determined to keep him alive until professionals arrived.The crash unfolded in a matter of seconds. According to investigators, Stallings’ truck veered from the left
lane into the grassy median, struck the guardrail, then smashed through a stand of trees before tumbling down the slope into the creek below. The force of the impact left the vehicle twisted and submerged, making the rescue attempt all the more urgent. Despite the courageous efforts of the good Samaritans, Stallings’ injuries were too severe. Troup County Coroner Erin Hackley later pronounced him dead at the scene.
Emergency crews, including troopers and wreck recovery teams, arrived shortly after, securing the crash site and assisting those who had risked their own safety to help. The southbound lanes of the highway were shut down for hours as investigators documented the scene, measured skid marks, and inspected the truck for signs of mechanical failure. The closure lasted until 1:45 p.m., when the roadway was cleared and reopened to traffic.
Authorities have not yet determined what caused Stallings’ vehicle to leave the roadway. Possible factors under review include driver distraction, medical emergency, or road conditions. Meanwhile, Stallings’ family and community are left to grapple with the sudden and heartbreaking loss. Our thoughts remain with them as they mourn a beloved father, friend, and neighbor whose life ended so abruptly along mile marker 26, just south of Hogansville.
