VALDOSTA – A single vehicle wreck on North Valdosta Road at the Val Del Road intersection closed traffic to the are for almost 10 hours, causing major delays and safety concerns Monday afternoon.

At approximately 4:41 p.m., Georgia State Patrol Cpl. Chris Kelch was dispatched to a single vehicle crash at the intersection of North Valdosta Road at Val Del Road in Lowndes County.

A white GMC Sierra driven by John Tyler Whiddon, 28, of Lenox, GA was traveling north on North Valdosta Road. The vehicle left the northeast shoulder of the roadway and struck a guardrail end with the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle continued, striking a utility pole with the front end of the vehicle.

Following this impact, the utility pole broke in two separate locations causing power lines to come down onto the traffic light wires. Due to the instability of the utility pole, which caused an immediate safety concern to the motoring public, the intersection was closed to all traffic.

Northbound traffic was detoured at North Valdosta Road and County Club Road. Southbound traffic was detoured at North Valdosta Road and Old US 41 North.

Whiddon was transported to South Georgia Medical Center via ambulance. Whiddon refused treatment and left the hospital against medical advice. Investigating Troopers are unsure if Whiddon suffered a medical condition, was fatigued or had other contributing factors that may have caused him to travel off the roadway.

Troopers do suspect Whiddon was using his cell phone at the time of the crash. Troopers do not suspect alcohol or drugs to be a contributing factor.

Whiddon will be charged with Failure to Maintain Lane and Driver to Exercise Due Care (Distracted Driving).

Georgia Power crews responded to the scene. North Valdosta  Road re-opened around 2 a.m. Georgia Power crews are expected to be working in the area in the morning but there should not be a concern to traffic.

There were three minor secondary crashes in the city limits of Valdosta due to stalled traffic.