Authorities believe a fatal accident about 40 feet off a busy roadway went undiscovered for hours Friday morning. The victim lived a short distance away from the accident scene.
The fiery crash occurred in the 1800 block of Castleberry Road in the Archer Lodge city limits before daylight. The Highway Patrol says a white Acura 4-door passenger car traveling south on Castleberry Road entered a curve and lost control. The vehicle traveled onto the shoulder where it collided with a tree and burst into flames next to the highway.
The wreck was discovered around 7:20 am by an off-duty state trooper. However, the Highway Patrol believes the fatal mishap occurred between 1:00 am and 5:00 am, meaning dozens of vehicles passed by the accident without it being reported. Neighbors said they did not hear the early morning accident.
The victim, Michael Clements, 23, of 103 Brookmont Drive, Clayton, was killed instantly. He lived in a subdivision off Castleberry Road. Troopers believe speed was a contributing factor.
The fire burned the car, a portion of the tree, and a grassy area around the wreckage. The impact was so severe, a tire and rim on the vehicle were thrown into a farm house next to the crash. Luckily no one was inside the house. WTSB Photos
