Articles

The Citizen is published by
Corporate Communication
for active and retired
Georgia Power employees.

Address internal
correspondence to:
The Citizen
Bin 10220
241 Ralph McGill Blvd.
Atlanta, Georgia 30308

Retirees
Please report address
changes to the Southern
Company Employee-Retiree
Service Center by calling
1-888-435-7563.

Van accident victims getting better

The three Georgia Power employees injured in the tragic van pool crash on Oct. 13 in metro Atlanta are on the road to recovery.

The van carrying the employees rolled over on Georgia Highway 78 near Stone Mountain after being clipped from behind by a car that was attempting to pass.

Georgia Power employees Keith Reese, Chris Ellis and Courtney Hill were involved in the accident that killed three Southern Company IT employees - Robert Harold (Rocky) Clinton Jr., 60; Ollie Benny Stephens Jr., 49; and Cindy Fitzgerald, 54. Three other Southern Company employees were also injured.

Southern Company and Georgia Power officers visited with the families of the injured and deceased the night of the accident.

"We assured the families that the coworkers of their loved ones stand behind them and that we are here to offer assistance in this difficult time," said Mike Garrett, Georgia Power president and CEO.

Reese, a principal engineer in Distribution design, is still "a little sore" but is quickly recuperating from the accident. Reese, who's been with the company for 30 years, was able to call his wife Angela from the ambulance to let her know that he was OK.

Reese suffered numerous scrapes and bruises, but no life-threatening injuries. He was released from the hospital the same day as the accident, and returned to work in less than a week. For now, he is following doctor's orders and working part-time, including some days from home.

"I felt like I needed to get back to a routine as quick as I could," he said. He hopes that within two weeks, he'll be back at work full-time.

Reese said he has received numerous well-wishes and encouragement from coworkers not only at Georgia Power, but every operating company within Southern Company.

"All of the employees at Southern Company and Georgia Power have been fantastic," he said. "They're showing it is a great place to work, and great people to work with."

Ellis, a communications specialist in Corporate Communication, said she is feeling better and getting stronger every day.

"I get tired a lot, and I still have some pain, but it is easing up," she said. "I'm really feeling better."

Ellis had no broken bones or fractures, but suffered serious bumps and bruises. She will soon begin therapy on her shoulder to help regain movement and get strength back in her arm.

"I was very lucky," she said.

Ellis, who has been with Georgia Power for 36 years, hopes to return to work soon, perhaps with reduced hours at first.

"I can't wait to get back," she said. "For me, that will be the best healing, getting back to work, doing what I do and being with the folks I like and love. I want to go back to making my life normal."

Ellis wanted all Georgia Power and Southern Company employees to know how much it meant to her when she heard from them after the accident.

"I really appreciate their kindness, thoughts, and their prayers," she said. "I've seen it before, with other people. When it comes down to affecting you or having it given to you, it's so nice, it's overwhelming. It fills your heart and makes you feel good."

Hill, a senior land administration specialist in Land engineering, was released from Emory Hospital in Atlanta on Oct. 23 and continues to recuperate at home from her injuries.