By Steve Carter

steve.carter@gaflnews.com



TIFTON — Two Tift County High School students died and a third is in fair condition after a train struck their car Sunday on Golden Road. All three students were brothers.

Austin Dawson, 17, and Alton Dawson Jr., 15, were killed in the wreck that occurred at approximately 11 a.m. Sunday. They were riding in a 1994 Nissan Sentra driven by their brother, Alex Dawson, 17, who is Austin’s twin brother.

Alex Dawson is at Tift Regional Medical Center and was in fair condition Monday, according to a hospital representative.

A preliminary report from the Georgia State Patrol said the Sentra was traveling west on Golden Road. The vehicle came to the railroad crossing and the cross bar was down at the time because of a train coming north. The car apparently went around the cross bar and was struck on its left passenger side at the front end.

The GSP report stated that the car failed to yield for the train.

Although the Georgia State Patrol investigated the accident, Tift County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Purvis was the first law enforcement officer on the scene because the collision occurred on a public highway. Purvis said in the GSP report that when he arrived, the cross arm was down, the red lights were flashing and the bell was ringing at the scene.

Dr. Willie Miles, principal at Tift County High School, said the incident has hit the school hard.

“It’s a tragedy, to say the least. It was shocking to all of us,” said Miles.

The principal said his guidance department went into action immediately to help students.

“I am really proud of my guidance department. They were at the accident scene Sunday morning and they were at the hospital Sunday afternoon, as well as at the homes of several students,” Miles said. “This morning (Monday), they were there for students that wanted to talk. We have also had a lot of help from other counselors.”

Gina Cox, Tift County’s student services director, noted: “We have had counselors from three other schools (at the high school to help their counselors). They will be there all week.”

Miles was appreciative of the other counselors as well. “The counselors from the other schools have been a big help,” he said.

The Dawson brothers have been a part of Miles’ life for a long time.

“I had them at Reddick (elementary school) when they were in the fourth grade. They were good, basic boys who enjoyed school. They were a joy to be around,” Miles said.

“Only the Lord knows why this happened, but I am sorry for the family. Our prayers go out to the family and our students.”

Funeral services were incomplete at presstime.

Trooper David Sellars is the officer that investigated the scene for the Georgia State Patrol. The Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team of the GSP is also investigating the accident.