Shotgun, drugs seized from injured drivers
By Elizabeth Billips lizbillips@yahoo.com

Dontel Hankerson 30, had to be cut out of his Crown Victoria, left, after he was hit head-on near Robertson's Heritage Chapel. He will be arrested on drug charges after his release from MCG Health. Robert Lee Drayton Jr. was found unconscious inside this Grand Prix, right, with a loaded shotgun next to him. Troopers say he caused the collision when he crossed the centerline.

A loaded shotgun and a cache of drugs were found after a violent wreck in downtown Waynesboro.

According to Trooper Bruce Rowell of the Georgia State Patrol Office, the head-on collision occurred just after 4 a.m. Saturday when Keysville resident Robert Lee Drayton Jr., 22, crossed the centerline on East Sixth Street and plowed into a Crown Victoria driven by Dontel Hankerson, 30, of Waynesboro.

Both men were trapped inside their vehicles when police arrived, and Drayton was unconscious.

While the drivers were being extricated, officers found a loaded shotgun on the front seat of Drayton's Grand Prix.

Not long after, emergency personnel found drugs on Hankerson while removing his clothing.

Contributed - Asst. Fire Chief Robert Parrish

According to Waynesboro police investigator Claude Wade, they recovered a Crown Royal bag containing substances believed to be crack cocaine, powder cocaine and marijuana.

Investigators are in the process of securing arrest warrants for Hankerson, who is listed in fair condition at MCG Health.

Drayton, who has since been discharged, will be charged through the state patrol office.