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Graduate airlifted after wreck
GSP reports busy holiday weekend
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A Dawsonville teen was airlifted in serious condition to Atlanta Medical Center following a collision Saturday afternoon just hours after graduating with honors from Dawson County High School.

Authorities said Samantha Phelps, 18, was driving south on Hwy. 9 when she attempted to turn left onto Dawson Forest Road and failed to yield the right of way to an oncoming Chevrolet pickup driven by Michael McCarthy, 38, also of Dawsonville.

McCarthy's 38-year-old wife, Lynn, also suffered injuries to her lower extremities in the wreck and was taken by ambulance to Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

Their three children, who were also injured in the wreck, were treated on scene.

"Everyone was injured in some way in this wreck," said Robin Stone, with Georgia State Patrol.

Both drivers and all passengers were wearing seatbelts.

Stone said drugs and alcohol are not considered factors in the wreck.

Phelp's condition was not available as of Tuesday afternoon.

State patrol reported a busy Memorial Day weekend, which ran from 6 p.m. May 23 through midnight May 27.

Among the 20 accidents troopers responded to in Dawson, Forsyth and Lumpkin counties, there were 24 injuries and no fatalities.

GSP also made 196 traffic stops that resulted in seven arrests for driving under the influence, Stone said.