An Augusta man who had been married just hours earlier died Saturday night in a wreck in Appling, Columbia County Coroner Vernon Collins said.
Brian Allen Orzechowski, 36, was pronounced dead at 10:15 p.m. after suffering blunt force trauma, Collins said. His bride, Crystal Lynn Krentler, 35, was airlifted to Georgia Regents Medical Center, where officials said they could not comment on her condition.
Orzechowski and Krentler were traveling westbound on Washington Road when their 1995 Saturn SL1 crossed the center line and hit an eastbound 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander nearly head-on, said Capt. Steve Morris, of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. The accident happened shortly after 9 p.m.
Rescue workers toiled for more than an hour to remove Orzechowski from the wreckage, Collins said.
Orzechowski and Krentler were believed to be on their way to Pointes West Army Resort at Lake Thurmond, Collins said.
The driver of the Mitsubishi, Torvoy Curry, 35, was taken by ambulance to Doctors Hospital for treatment of injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, Collins said.
Curry was driving on a suspended license and had an open container in the car, Morris said.
Collins said Orzechowski’s blood will undergo toxicology testing Monday, but it could take as long as six weeks to get the results.