CALHOUN, Ga. — The driver accused of causing a head-on crash that killed a Dade County man on August 23 has been identified as Matthew Allen Pickens, 44, of 324 Cherokee Drive, Calhoun, and is now in the Gordon County Jail.
Authorities said Pickens was taken into custody Tuesday by Hamilton County (Tenn.) Sheriff’s Office personnel after being released from Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga. On Wednesday morning, Sept. 3, Pickens waived extradition and was transported to Gordon County, where he was booked on Homicide by Vehicle, Serious Injury by Vehicle, Fleeing and Eluding Officers, and other traffic offenses. Officials said his identity was initially withheld while he remained in intensive care.
According to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), which investigated and filed the charges, the incident began around 2:39 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, when a black Mercedes fled a Gordon County deputy on Hwy. 53. As the chase reached the T-intersection of GA 53 (S. Calhoun Bypass) and GA 53 Spur, the fleeing car failed to negotiate a right turn, crossed the grass median and entered the westbound lanes of GA 53 Spur traveling eastbound. Troopers responding to assist said they never made contact with the vehicle before it struck a Honda CR-V head-on at Reeves Station Road.
The Gordon County Coroner identified the victim as Donald Brandon Franks, 49, of Lookout Mountain, Ga., who died from injuries sustained in the collision.
Jail records show Pickens has been booked in Gordon County three times previously—in 2020, 2022 and 2023—each for traffic-related offenses.
All charges are accusations; the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.