Managing Editor

A Thomaston man lost his life after he collided with a truck and trailer the evening of September 22.

Willie Brooks, 62, of Oak Street was killed instantly when he pulled out of Georgia Avenue into the path of a 2004 Dodge Heavy Duty pick up truck and trailer driven by Michael McManus, 44, of McDonough.

According to reports from Post 26 of the Georgia Sate Patrol, Brooks was on a Roadmaster10 speed bicycle traveling east down Georgia Avenue. As he approached the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Hwy. 19 North, (Center Street) he traveled into the northbound traffic lane, striking the Dodge truck in the left side of the trailer in front of the left side wheel well. Reports say Brooks did not have a light on the bicycle, only a small red reflector on on the rear of the bike and was wearing dark colored clothing.

Thomaston Police and the GSP were notified of the accident shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday night. Also responding to the accident was an investigator with the Georgia Department of Transportation and Upson County Coroner Tim Cochran.

McManus, the driver of the Dodge truck, voluntarily submitted to a blood test. Results are pending at this time.

Brooks was pronounced dead at the scene.