A Dahlonega man was killed Monday morning when his truck crashed on Shoal Creek Road after slipping on ice, according

to the Georgia State Patrol.

At 7:45 a.m., Miles Carney, 21, was traveling south on Shoal Creek Road in a 2006 Nissan Frontier. The vehicle traveled into the east shoulder, and it went down an embankment approximately 63 feet, GSP Spokesperson Robin Stone said.

The truck struck several small trees and later a much larger tree.

Carney was pronounced dead at the scene, Stone said. Ice was a factor in this wreck, Stone said.

Drugs and alcohol were not suspected, and Carney was wearing a seatbelt.

Dawson County Chief Deputy Lanier Swafford said five accidents occurred Monday morning within 30 to 40 minutes of each other. The accidents were all located on Shoal Creek, Hwy. 52, and Hwy. 136, Swafford said.

Swafford said a light rain was reported in the area Sunday night and into Monday morning. Temperatures were

between 35 and 36 degrees, and mixed with cold, roadways caused some black ice patches, he said.

When conditions arise for black ice, theres no good way to navigate it, Swafford said. Stay at home, he said. Thats

the best answer. Theres no good way to negotiate black ice.

Stone also said the GSP encourages drivers to use extreme caution if they must travel during icy road conditions. If you dont have to be out, dont, Stone said. Take it slow and definitely wear seatbelts and dont do anything unnecessary.

The other accidents Monday morning were minor with no serious injuries.

As of presstime Tuesday, the National Weather Service placed Dawson County under a winter storm advisory. One inch

of snow was predicted and could possibly include sleet and freezing rain.

Make plans now. Prepare for power outages, leave faucets dripping, provide for pets and livestock, and use extreme caution with portable heaters, wood burning fireplaces and heaters, and portable generators, Swafford said.

For information on winter car safety, see this newspapers editorial on page 4A.