FRANKLIN COUNTY, GA, January 07, 2026 — A two-vehicle crash in heavy fog Wednesday morning claimed the life of a Royston man in Franklin County, according to the Georgia State Patrol.
Authorities said a 2004 Jeep Liberty was traveling on Georgia Highway 17 around 7:08 a.m. when it was struck from behind by a 2011 Ford Expedition. The impact caused the Jeep to leave the roadway and overturn.
Thomas Robert Hyde, 55, was pronounced dead at the scene. The female driver of the Ford Expedition sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Georgia State Patrol officials said impairment is not suspected, and the crash remains under investigation.
