Newton Citizen

CONYERS -- The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office is looking for a suspect who shot a Covington man Friday night in the Bridlewood Apartments complex off Sigman Road.

According to the RCSO, the shooting was reported at about 9 p.m. by one caller who said they heard shots in the neighborhood and another who reported a person shot. Officers responded and found the victim in a briar patch near Building X of the complex.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the 52-year-old victim was apparently shot in the back and was listed in stable condition and was continuing to recover Monday at an Atlanta area hospital.

The investigation is ongoing.

In other news, the RCSO worked a one-vehicle accident on Interstate 20 Monday afternoon that closed all westbound lanes of traffic.

According to Sheriff Jeff Wigington, a Dodge pickup truck pulling a trailer loaded with salvage was headed to the dump when the right rear trailer tire blew out and caused the vehicle to go out of control and overturn.

Wigington said the four occupants of the truck received only minor injuries and none was transported for medical treatment.

"They didn't hit any other vehicles; it just took a little while to clean it up," Wigington said.

The accident occurred between the bridge and the onramp at Sigman Road. Wigington said the interstate was closed for about 30 minutes while the lanes were cleared. Traffic was backed up to West Avenue.

He added that several witnesses who were also traveling westbound were able to tell what was going on with the truck and avoid the accident.

Capt. Myra Pearrell said that traffic was rerouted along the access roads following the accident.