A crash on Highway 81 near Atha Circle in the early evening of Dec. 27 resulted in injuries sending 3 people to area hospitals. 

The north-bound 2003 Ford Pick-Up driven by Curtis E. Stewart, 62, of Auburn, struck a mailbox. According to Officer Chip Taylor of the Georgia State Patrol, Stewart seems to have over corrected, crossed the center line and struck a 2008 Nissan Maxima driven by Michael B. Poynter, 45, of Oxford.  

After impact, the pick-up overturned and came to rest in upright position. Stewart, who was trapped, was pulled from the wreckage by fire and rescue and transported to Gwinnett Medical Center by helicopter. His passenger, Wanda Stewart, was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center via ambulance. Mr. Poynter was transported to Clearview Medical by ambulance. 

Mr. Stewart has been charged with failure to maintain lane. All parties were wearing seat belts; there was no evidence that speed or alcohol contributed to this crash.