Executive Summary
- Victim Identified: George Whittenburg, a 21-year-old UGA student, died Friday from injuries sustained in a Wednesday incident.
- Incident Details: Police report Whittenburg was struck by his own 2018 Toyota Tundra as it rolled backward on Peabody Street.
- Investigation Status: Authorities are investigating why the parked vehicle began rolling; no other drivers were involved.
- Context: This event marks the first recorded traffic fatality in Athens-Clarke County for the year 2026.
A 21-year-old University of Georgia student has died from injuries sustained when his parked vehicle rolled backward and struck him, according to a statement released by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD). The incident, which occurred on Wednesday evening, resulted in the student’s death on Friday following treatment for critical injuries.
ACCPD officers responded to the scene in the 300 block of Peabody Street on the evening of January 28. According to the preliminary investigation, George Whittenburg was standing outside the driver’s door of a 2018 Toyota Tundra that was parked along the street. Police reports indicate that the vehicle began rolling in reverse, subsequently striking and rolling over Whittenburg.
Investigators noted that after striking the student, the truck continued moving backward, hitting an unoccupied vehicle before finally coming to a halt against a tree. Whittenburg was transported to a local hospital with visible, critical injuries. Despite medical intervention, he was pronounced dead on Friday, January 30.
Investigative Outlook
The ACCPD has confirmed that this incident marks the first traffic fatality within Athens-Clarke County in 2026. The case remains under active investigation as authorities seek to determine the precise mechanical or environmental factors that caused the vehicle to roll. Police are urging anyone with information regarding the events on Peabody Street to contact Senior Police Officer James Trotter to assist with the ongoing inquiry.
