AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We’re learning new details Friday about a crash that killed a Richmond County deputy and a 57-year-old woman earlier this week. The crash happened on Washington Road at Redwood Drive Wednesday just before 7 a.m. The Richmond County Coroner’s Office has identified the victims as 49-year-old Deputy Phillip Wasson, of Augusta, and 57-year-old Heather Michelle Lanier, of Martinez. Troopers with the Georgia State Patrol says a Ford Econoline U-Haul, driven by Lanier, as traveling south on Washington Road. A Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Wasson, was traveling north in the left lane. The U-Haul traveled left of center striking the Silverado head on, according to troopers. The impact of the crash caused the U-Haul to begin spinning and strike a Nissan Sentra with the passenger side, troopers say. According to troopers, a juvenile passenger in the Silverado and the driver of the Nissan was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The coroner’s office states Wasson was pronounced dead on the scene, Bowen says. Lanier was taken to Wellstar MCG by EMS where she was pronounced dead at 7:35 a.m. Wasson was a deputy with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for 18 years. He was assigned to the traffic division. The Georgia State Patrols Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT) is investigating the crash. Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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