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Oakwood man killed in Sunday wreck
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A 22-year-old Oakwood man was killed and a passenger was seriously injured Sunday afternoon in a wreck on Old Flowery Branch Road, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

The wreck happened at about 4:30 p.m. when the male driver of a BMW heading north on Old Flowery Branch Road was speeding and lost control on a curve, according to Operator Munger with the patrol’s Gainesville post.

The vehicle ran off the road and hit two trees. The impact split the 1997 BMW 328 I in half, according to Operator Baker with the state patrol.

The driver, 22-year-old Matthew Green of Oakwood, was killed in the wreck. Green’s passenger, 20-year-old Angel Ibarrondo, sustained serious injuries and was taken to Gwinnett Medical Center for treatment. The pair were the only two occupants of the car, and both were wearing their seatbelts, according to Baker.

Ibarrondo is expected to survive his injuries, according to Baker.

The fatality was one of 10 across Georgia during the holiday weekend, fewer than the 16 projected by the Department of Public Safety.

The department also reported 1,963 crashes involving 430 injuries. A fatal wreck also was reported in Winder during the holiday period.

The department had projected 2,330 crashes involving 1,004 injuries.

Last year, the Georgia State Patrol worked 2,998 crashes involving 1,222 injuries and 22 deaths, but the reporting period lasted 102 hours.

This year’s 78-hour reporting period began at 6 p.m. Thursday and ended at midnight Sunday.

Christmas also had a quieter 78 hours than predicted. Authorities worked 1,688 crashes involving 384 injuries and seven deaths, compared to a projected 2,226 crashes involving 976 injuries and 18 deaths.

Last year, also over 102 hours, the Georgia State Patrol worked 2,783 crashes involving 1,261 injuries and 24 deaths.

Hall County Fire Services had a busy weekend dousing fires, including one on the 3300 block of Harmony Church Road at 3:30 a.m. Sunday.

Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke billowing from a 3,000-square-foot cabinet shop, Chief David Kimbrell said.

Firefighters were able to get inside the structure and put out the fire quickly. There were no injuries, but damage was estimated at about $30,000.

Kimbrell said the cause is unknown, but the fire is under investigation.

Jeff Gill contributed to this story.