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2 killed in separate wrecks
Authorities say alcohol may have been involved in both accidents
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Two young men were killed early Sunday morning in two separate wrecks in which authorities believe alcohol may have been a factor.

Raymond Blake Long of Whiting Road in Gainesville died in a car accident Sunday on Mountain View Road in Oakwood. The Georgia State Patrol responded to the call at 1:05 a.m.

Long, 21, was driving a 2006 Mazda when he entered a curve too fast and lost control of the vehicle, which overturned several times before coming to a stop, said State Patrol Operator Amber Sorrells at the Gainesville Post. Long was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Two passengers in the vehicle, who sustained injuries that were not life-threatening, were treated at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. As of Sunday night, the passengers’ names had not been released. Sorrells said the preliminary report stated the driver was not wearing a seat belt and all three occupants were ejected from the vehicle.

Later Sunday morning, Ryan Adam Price, 20, was killed in a car accident on New Cut Road near Braselton. The Georgia State Patrol responded to the incident at 2:52 a.m., and Price, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Banks-Jackson-Commerce Medical Center.

Georgia State Patrol Officer Jesse Elder said Brody Neal Gooch, 21, was driving a red and black Chevrolet S-10 pickup when he lost control of the vehicle and ran into some trees along New Cut Road off Ga. 53.

Gooch and passenger Anthony M. Behlog, 20, were severely injured in the crash.

Gooch was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center, and Behlog was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.

Elder said authorities believe alcohol was involved in the wreck, and the incident remains under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team.

Maj. Jeff Strickland of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office said driving under the influence is one of the leading causes of fatal accidents in Hall County, along with speeding and failure to yield the right of way.

"We would urge all young people to not drink and drive," Strickland said. "And if you do choose to drink, then please, by all means, use a designated driver."