Man, 46, dies after crashing into downtown Athens building – FOX 5 Atlanta

Man, 46, dies after crashing into downtown Athens building  FOX 5 Atlanta

A 46-year-old man died Wednesday morning after crashing his vehicle into a historic building in downtown Athens. A 46-year-old man died after crashing a pickup truck into a historic 1889 downtown Athens building that houses Magnolias Bar, triggering a partial structural collapse and extended street closures after fleeing an initial police response. ATHENS, Ga. – A 46-year-old man died Wednesday morning after crashing his vehicle into a historic building in downtown Athens, shortly after police responded to a mental health call involving him, authorities confirmed. The crash happened along East Broad Street, damaging a building that houses Magnolias Bar and Republic Salon. According to police, officers were called to a mental health incident around 7:30 a.m.

Wednesday near the intersection of Washington and Jackson streets in downtown Athens. Police said the man was inside a vehicle when he drove away from the location. Officers did not pursue him, according to the police chief. A short time later, the man's vehicle crashed into a building along East Broad Street, approximately two blocks from the initial police response. Authorities confirmed that he died as a result of the crash. The collision caused extensive damage to the building, sending bricks and other debris onto the street and around the vehicle. The property owner told FOX 5 Atlanta that the building dates to 1882.