Hall County, GA — March 27, 2025, Martin Ehlers was injured in a truck accident at about 8:30 a.m. on U.S. Route 129/Cleveland Highway.

Authorities said a Kia Optima was headed south near Hub Head Road when it crashed head-on with a Mack truck. The truck and its trailer ended up in the ditch after the crash north of Clermont.

Kia driver Martin Ehlers, 75, of Blairsville was hospitalized in critical condition after the crash, according to authorities.

The truck driver was not injured.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Hall County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I hear about a head-on crash between a passenger vehicle and a commercial truck, especially on a highway like U.S. Route 129, the first question I have is simple: Which vehicle crossed the center line, and why? That answer is critical to understanding who’s responsible, but in crashes like this, it's rarely as straightforward as people might assume.

This is where modern tools become essential. The truck’s engine control module, if preserved properly, can provide valuable insights into its speed, braking, and steering input leading up to the crash. If the truck had an in-cab camera or GPS tracking system, that could also help determine its lane position at the time of impact. The same goes for the Kia—if there's dashcam footage or cell phone records, they could tell us whether distraction, fatigue, or a sudden medical event played a role.

In my experience, it’s a mistake to jump to conclusions based on initial reports. A head-on collision like this one needs a thorough, evidence-driven investigation. That’s the only way to determine whether this was a case of driver error, a mechanical issue or something else entirely. Because when someone’s fighting for their life after a crash, they deserve answers, not assumptions.