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According to Investigator Ron Tomblin, Traffic Specialist with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, the arrested motorist is identified as Elezar Alvarez of Crystal Cove Trail.   Tomblin said that the 2003 Ford Explorer which Alvarez was driving rear-ended a 1998 Chevrolet Geo Tracker being driven by Harry Ray Spitz, 47, of Lakeview Court in Gainesville.

The accident occurred last night at 7:55 p.m. on State Route 53 (Dawsonville Highway) at its intersection with Dogwood Path.

According to Tomblin, Spitz was eastbound on Dawsonville Highway and stopped to turn left onto Dogwood Path.   Alvarez’s Explorer collided with Spitz’s car, causing it to burst into flames.  Spitz’s five and eight year-old daughters were in his car with him.

A Dawson County EMS ambulance unit drove up on the wreck just as it happened.  The EMT’s were able to get all three occupants out of their burning vehicle.

All three patients were transported by ambulance to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.  The five year old was burned over 39% of her body and suffered third-degree burns over 28% of her body.  She was flown to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctor’s Hospital in Augusta.  Spitz and the 8 year-old were treated and released.  Both had minor burns.   The five year-old’s condition is unknown at this time.

Tomblin said that Alvarez, who was not injured, attempted to flee the scene but was only able to travel about 1,200 feet before his car stopped.  Alvarez was arrested at the scene and charged with Felony Hit & Run, Reckless Driving, Serious Injury by Vehicle, Following too Close and Driving While License Suspended.

Tomblin said Alvarez’s driver’s license had been suspended due to a previous DUI conviction and he had only a permit to drive to and from work.   Alvarez was driving in violation of that permit, Tomblin said.

Alvarez was released from jail earlier today on a $9,735 bond.