Park ranger dies as the result of a one-car accident

Major Ulysses Elam, 47, of Norwood, the senior park ranger at Elijah Clark State Park, passed away Saturday, September 8, at the Medical College of Georgia from injuries sustained in a one-car accident that occurred Tuesday, September 4.

According to a report issued by the Georgia State Patrol Post in Thomson, at approximately 7:45 p.m., Elam was headed west on Cedar Rock Road in McDuffie County when he lost control of his 1998 Jeep Cherokee and exited the roadway onto the north shoulder. The SUV traveled about 421 feet, struck a culvert, vaulted, and overturned, ejecting the driver from the vehicle.

The Jeep Cherokee then traveled another 61 feet, struck the ground with its top, and continued to overturn. The vehicle finally came to rest facing north about seven feet north of the roadway.

Elam was transported to the MCG Trauma Unit by a LifeNet helicopter.

The Lincoln County native was married to the former Amy Hill of Louisville, Georgia. The couple had three children.

Elam was the son of Lois Bohler Elam of Lincolnton and the late John Elam.

Regular obituary information appears on page 2.