GBI identifies dead motorist

A fiery crash on on I-75 in Monroe County Sunday night left one driver dead and the GBI has identified the victim.

UPDATE: The body of an unidentified woman killed in a multi-vehicle accident on I-75 southbound on Sunday, August 14, 2011 has been identified as Ebony Underwood, 23, of Dublin. Monroe County Sheriff's Office deputies are continuing an investigation into the case but said that it appears that only three vehicles were involved in the crash. Around 9:46 Sunday night, a Dodge Dakota, driven by Craig Joseph Podell, 34, of Ames, Iowa, made an illegal lane change causing the Dodge truck to rear-end a roll-back wrecker driven by Chastity Hopper, 20, of Forsyth. The wrecker then hit the Buick Regal driven by Ms. Underwood. The wrecker and the Regal flipped over the guardrail and caught fire. Hopper and her passenger, Christopher Baxter, 27, were transported to the Medical Center of Central Georgia. Ms. Underwood's body was taken to the GBI Crime Lab in Atlanta. Mr. Podell refused medical treatment.

It is unknown whether seatbelts were in use at the time of the accident. Mr. Podell is being charged with failure to maintain lane and following too closely.

Comments

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#1 KT on 08/15/11 at 07:51 PM

I highly doubt names will be given to the media when relatives are notified. I'm still waiting to find out the people involved in the wreak on 75 from the blown out tire.

#2 cats on 08/16/11 at 02:51 PM

The victim was so young. I'm sure she leaves behind devastated friends and family.
My condolences.....

#3 Anonymous on 08/16/11 at 03:56 PM

Ebony was on her way home from Church that Sunday night.The Church her Godfather founded. She stayed late to sing a song about Heaven. Her Godmom told her to be safe on her Journey home...God Always has a Purpose

#4 T Pope on 08/16/11 at 05:01 PM

This is such a tragedy. I can't believe that the driver that caused the accident won't be charged with a more extreme charge.... His negligence caused someone to lose their life. I knew the victim (Ms. Underwood) personally and I know she has left quite a few people , family and a slew of friends in morning. Drivers must be careful while on the roads... The man that caused her death will have a $100-200 fine but my apologies to Monroe county officials for saying that they really didn't use their better judgement with that decision.

#5 Steve on 08/16/11 at 06:07 PM

I was heading in the opposite direction coming home from Florida to Illinois that night. When I went past police were just arriving. I was planning on driving all night but that image stuck in my head and made me get a hotel room for the night. My heart sunk and i prayed everyone got out ok. My condolences go out to the family of the victim.

RIP

#6 Timikie Roberts on 08/16/11 at 07:57 PM

Such sad news to have to hear. RIP Ebony, we love u & u will be missed.....

#7 Susan Wright on 08/16/11 at 10:39 PM

I knew Ebby for a short time , however this young, vibrate, full of life little girl will live in my heart forever. She was taken away because of someone being stupid...I have asked God to tell me why..he obviously wanted her and needed her more than we did. I would rather her be here and living her dreams. She was a wonderful headstrong, would tell you what she thought, but would have your back in the end. I wonder why our paths crossed and guess that is why i can not shake her passing..I know that she and I have known each other prior to this life. I will never forget her. Ebby you had a tough life but you were loved.

#8 Susan Wright on 08/16/11 at 10:46 PM

I knew her also..having a really hard time with why. Surly the driver that caused this has to be held responsible.....tell me it is not so. She was a baby ..full of life. I feel grateful to have known her.

#9 Anonymous on 08/17/11 at 05:51 AM

What's his purpose for the children starving in Africa?

All the rape, genocide, torture?

Sounds kind of masochistic to me.

#10 Anonymous on 08/17/11 at 09:36 AM

I knew Ebony as well...This is such a tradegy! The drivers of the other vechile should be charged with much more! Because of their stupidity on the road a young life was taken and a family is shattered!! I have prayed that in her last minutes she had no suffering and i ask God to help us( her friends and family) get through this time and to understand that He has a greater plan! I will never forget Ebony..She embrace life to the fullest and i know God has a true angel on his team! R.I.P my friend...

#11 susan akridge on 08/17/11 at 09:41 AM

Ebbony you will be missed in so many ways. We know you are with god because you were an angel here on earth.. we will miss you and our hearts and prayers are with the family....

#12 Melissa Dekle on 08/17/11 at 09:51 AM

Ebony, we in the Swainsboro office are truly gonna miss u. God placed in our lives as if we had known you forever. Condolences to the Underwood family and ResCare Dublin family. We love you but God loves you best.

#13 Anonymous on 08/17/11 at 10:15 AM

This i ssuch a tradegy! because of the stupidty and careless act of a driver, A daughter, sister, friend, has been taken from us!I dont know why Mr. Podell found it necessary to lie at the scene but God will punish him how he sees fit!I pray that in Ebony's last minutes she had no suffering! i have ask God to guide the family during this time. Ebony was a person that embraced life to the fullest and i kno that God has a true angel on his team! R.I.P. my friend...u are loved and missed dearly

#14 Anonymous on 08/17/11 at 10:49 AM

God gave every man and woman free will. If other countries citizens decide not to better themselves, why blame God? Blame the PEOPLE!

#15 Anonymous on 08/17/11 at 07:06 PM

I knew the driver of the dakota I live in ames where he is from he is a completely wreckless driver with no care about anyone else on the road driving 100 down the insterstate cursing at ppl making him slow down while never taking any responsability and blaming the other driver when clearly he was in the wrong I know his personality and don't believe him at all lying about a 4th vehicle to avoid a homocide charge and probebly even lied about trying to save this helpless woman because he had 3 parrots in his truck that were perfectly fine and trying to get out of that state as fast as possible right now begging anyone he can alls I think about is this could have been me I feel for the family of the lady and wonder why there was no drug test done on him

#16 IZELL,JR on 08/18/11 at 06:15 AM

ITS REALLY SAD SHE GOING TO BE MISS, BUT GOD KNOWS BEST , THERE WILL BE NO TROUBLED,REMEMBER '' EARTH HAS NO SORROW THAT HEAVEN CAN NOT HEALED'' GOD KNOWS WHAT HAPPEN AND IT WILL BE REVEALED !!!!!!!!

#17 Ahorne on 08/20/11 at 07:21 PM

Ebony was such a sweet girl and will be missed very much. I pray that the friends and family will have peace and know that she is resting in the arms of the Lord. That goes to show us that we never know when we will take our last breath so we should always forgive and let the people we love know that we love them. I am praying for the family and friends.

#18 GTownsend on 08/20/11 at 10:19 PM

I was driving home to Swainsboro from Atlanta airport that night and was only a few seconds behind this accident. The image has stayed with me and troubled me ever since. I immediately began searching for information on the accident and my heart sank when as they released more information. It reminded me how precious life is and how tomorrow is not promised to any of us. My prayers go out to Ebony's family and loved ones, for I have lost family members in car accidents as well. I hope that you can all help each other through this and find peace.

#19 katie billscraft on 11/17/11 at 01:22 AM

have you heard anything more on the moron that caused this accident i thought the court date was oct something but havent heard since...he even sold the bird one parrot to get interenet turned on

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