Bainbridge resident Maria Handsford was killed early Wednesday morning in a head-on collision on Highway 27 South according to Georgia State Patrol.  According to GSP officer Bryan Palmer, Handsford was driving a Pontiac Vibe on Highway 27 near mile marker 6 in the inside lane when her car left the roadway and entered the median for an unknown reason.

“She over corrected into the northbound land and then she over-corrected again and started spinning,” Palmer said.

After losing control she again crossed the median and collided head on with the extended-cab Chevrolet Pickup being driven by Gerry Cooper. Cooper was driving southbound on Highway 27 at the time.

According to Palmer, both vehicles erupted into flames following the collision. Civilians who were in the area at the time of the crash were able to put out the fire on Handford’s car and keep the fire on Cooper’s car contained until the Attapulgus Fire Department arrived on scene and put them out fully. The Attapulgus Fire Department was then able to remove Cooper from the car. He was transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries including multiple broken bones.  Sam Foster, who was a passenger in the Chevy Pickup, was transported to Bainbridge Memorial Hospital was minor injuries.

Handsford was pronounced dead at the scene and is believed to have died on impact as she was deceased by the time emergency personnel arrived on the scene.

Georgia State Patrol was assisted in the investigation by deputies and investigators from the Decatur County Sheriff’s office. Portions of Tallahassee Highway were closed following the crash.