Update: Arrest in Fatal Accident

The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office has released information regarding the arrest of Deta Joy Ratledge by Kevin Phillips on February 18, 2025.

Ratledge has been charged with Following Too Closely and DUI/Drugs/Less Safe in connection with an accident that resulted in the death of 28-year-old Travis Bailey.

The booking report was made public on February 19, 2025. According to Vada Jackson of the Sheriff’s Office, Ratledge was released on bond the same day as her arrest.

Below are the preliminary details regarding the crash as they were reported from the Georgia State Patrol:

On January 24, 2025, at approximately 6:50 PM, Troopers responded to a multiple-vehicle crash on Georgia Highway 114 near Bargain Lane.  During the crash investigation, it was determined that a red Chevrolet S-10 truck broke down in both southbound lanes of Georgia Highway 114.  A grey Nissan Sentra was traveling south on Georgia Highway 114 in the left lane. The driver of the Nissan noticed the Chevrolet and stopped in the left lane to avoid a collision.  A silver Toyota Corolla was traveling behind the Nissan.  The Toyota was following too closely and struck the rear of the Nissan with its front. The driver of the Toyota got out of his vehicle and stood at the vehicle’s rear end, talking to several witnesses.  A blue Jeep Compass was traveling south on Georgia Highway 114 in the left lane, approaching the crash scene.  The witnesses attempted to use their flashlights to get the Jeep driver’s attention and to signal the driver to slow down.  The witnesses were able to get out of the way before the Jeep struck the Toyota and the Toyota’s driver with its front. The impact caused the Toyota to rotate into the north lanes, where it struck a red Chevrolet Silverado driven by James Lewis, 58, Summerville, GA, traveling north on Georgia Highway 114.  The driver of the Toyota, Travis Bailey, 28, Summerville, GA, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. During the search of the Jeep, drug paraphernalia and several prescription medications were located inside. The driver of the Jeep, Deta Ratledge, 61, Lafayette, GA, was determined to be impaired and consented to a blood draw to test for impairment.  The SCRT arrived on the scene and will continue with the investigation. The Chevrolet (S-10) did not have any damage and was not struck by any of the other vehicles.  The driver of the Jeep will be charged with DUI and Following Too Closely.