Man killed in U.S. Highway 19 collision

ALBANY — Robert Frank Blackledge, 56, has died as a result of injuries he sustained in a collision Thursday morning involving three vehicles on U.S. Highway 19 South near Putney, according to Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler.

Although no official report has been filed, it’s believed Blackledge was driving a John Deere tractor in the northbound-traffic lane when the wreck occurred.

“Details are unclear at this time as to how the collision happened,” Fowler said. “We think the tractor-trailer hit a pickup truck and knocked it into the tractor on the side of the road.”

Fowler said it was his understanding that the Dodge Ram pickup that made contact with the tractor was being driven by a woman who worked for Blackledge and was following behind him with the truck’s flashers on.

Following the collision, traffic at the scene was backed up for nearly a mile in the northbound-traffic lane as EMS and firefighters worked to secure the area.

Blackledge was reportedly pinned on the tractor until emergency personnel were able to free him, whereupon he was then transported to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.

According to Fowler, Blackledge died at the hospital. Fowler said the driver of the pickup truck also was also taken to the hospital, and that he believed she was in stable condition. The driver of the semi was not injured.

The incident is still under investigation.