ATHENS, Ga. — The Athens community is mourning the tragic loss of 25-year-old Soonhoon Choi, who passed away early Sunday morning in a devastating wrong-way crash on the GA-10 Inner Loop. The collision, which also claimed the life of 26-year-old Desiree Browning of Lawrenceville, left multiple others injured and has deeply affected families and friends.
According to Athens-Clarke County Police, the crash occurred just after midnight when Browning was traveling the wrong way on the Inner Loop near Chase Street in a 2021 Kia Seltos. The Kia first struck a 2021 Mercedes-Benz, then collided with a 2020 Ford Expedition, and finally hit a 2017 Toyota Camry head-on, where Choi was driving. After the final impact, the Kia came to rest on the cable barriers and caught fire.
Choi passed away at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash. Browning also passed away at the scene, while her passenger was hospitalized in critical condition. The passenger in Choi’s vehicle was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Occupants of the Mercedes-Benz and Ford Expedition suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
This tragic event marks the eighth fatal crash in Athens-Clarke County this year, bringing the total number of traffic-related deaths to 10.
Friends, family, and the Athens community remember Soonhoon Choi for the life he lived and the impact he made. His sudden passing leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew him, and he will be deeply missed.