The 2013 EMS Dispatcher of the Year died in a traffic accident last week.
Keri Clark, 23, had worked in the communications department at Savannah/Chatham Metropolitan Police for two years. She was a native of Lakeland, Ga., and a graduate of Lanier County High School.
"As a 911a dispatcher, Keri Clark was constantly involved in saving lives," Chief Willie Lovett said. "Almost every member of this department at some time probably has depended on her for vital information. This was a shock to our entire communications department and the rest of us are saddened as well."
She was named Dispatcher of the Year by the Chatham County EMS Council in May for her work involving a suicidal woman in the early morning hours of March 8.
"Clark spent nearly an hour on the phone with the woman as officers scoured the area to locate her in a remote area near the Talmadge Bridge," a police spokesman recalls. "The woman later called the communications center and Clark personally to thank her for taking the time to listen to her."
• Two women were killed instantly and a woman and teen were injured when the SUV they were in drove around railroad barriers and into the path of a freight train.
Martha Newton, 57, of the 2100 block of Westlake Avenue, driver of the SUV, and Amanda Newton, 34, of Atlanta, were declared dead on scene at the 1:49 p.m. collision on the 200 block of Gulfstream Road.
Vanessa Newton, 35, of Atlanta was airlifted from the scene by helicopter and A-Mirackle Newton, 14, of Atlanta, was transported by ambulance. A-Mirackle Newton was listed in serious condition and Vanessa Newton was in critical condition at Memorial University Medical Center.
The white SUV was traveling north on Gulfstream Road when Martha Newton disregarded the flashing lights and drove around the traffic arms at the railroad crossing into the path of the train. All occupants except the driver were ejected from the vehicle.
Garden City, Port Wentworth and Southside Fire Department firefighters responded to the scene. The Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) of the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department continues to investigate.
• A 19-year-old woman was charged Wednesday afternoon with two counts of aggravated assault by motor vehicle and other traffic offenses after she admitted she hit two men with her car following an argument.
Ndea Jackson of the 1100 block of Elliot Avenue was detained at the scene at McCarthy Street and Stiles Avenue about 3:38 p.m.by Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department West Chatham Precinct patrol officers.
They determined she had been arguing with her cousin, Christopher Jackson, 22, of the 1200 block of Elliot Avenue and intentionally struck him with her car. She also struck Ronald McMillian, 20, of the 1100 block of Darwin Street.
Both men were transported to Memorial University Medical Center where Jackson underwent surgery for non-life threatening injuries and McMillian was treated for injuries to his foot and ankle.
