Police Identify 316 Fatality as Missing UGA Student from Oconee County

Gwinnett County Police confirmed that the body discovered in the single vehicle accident on Highway 316 was that of missing UGA student, Quinton Ayers, 22.

Cpl. Jake Smith, public information officer with the GCPD, confirmed that the vehicle Ayers was found in was a match to the black GMC pickup he was last seen driving.

"The vehicle was found about 40 feet from the roadway. It was resting on its side and appeared to have hit a tree at significant speed," Smith said in a press release. "The vehicle was called in by a passing tractor trailer driver, who could just make out the truck's undercarriage from his elevated position."

Smith said that Ayers' truck was extremely difficult to see from any other angle.

"At this time we do not have any information to indicate that other vehicles were involved," Smith said. "We do not yet have any information on speed or the involvement of alcohol." 

Smith said a thorough investigation would be completed in the coming days.  The westbound lanes of Highway 316 were closed between Harbins Road and Winder Highway for several hours. The road was reopened at about 9:50 p.m.