Braselton father, son killed in wrong-way wreck
BY KERRI TESTEMENT
A Braselton father and son were killed in a head-on collision in Cobb County on Sunday night, according to Marietta police.
Rodney James Godfrey, 47, and his son, Eric James Godfrey, 17, were killed when their 1995 Ford Taurus was struck by a 1999 Mercury Villager traveling on the wrong way of the Canton Road Connector, according to police.
The driver of the mini-van, Nicasio Rodrigo Vicente-Hernandez, 29, of Kennesaw, was also killed in the incident.
Marietta police said Vicente-Hernandez was fleeing another minor traffic accident when he drove in the wrong direction of travel on the road, striking the Taurus.
Also injured in the accident were Mary Clare Godfrey, 51, and a 12-year-old son. Mary Godfrey was reportedly slated to undergo surgery this week.
Eric Godfrey was a sophomore at Jackson County Comprehensive High School. He was “very well liked, a very popular student” who was extremely involved in the school’s fine arts and band programs, according to principal Todd McGhee.
“(He) was a very talented musician,” McGhee said.
Eric Godfrey, a saxophone player, had recently performed with the Georgia All-State Band.
“It’s a devastating loss for our school community,” McGhee said.
JCCHS offered additional counselors on Monday to allow students to deal with the emotional loss, he said.
Rodney Godfrey was also involved in the school, McGhee said. Mr. Godfrey was a leader of the JCCHS band booster club and remained “very involved,” he added.
As of press time, funeral arrangements had not been announced.
