THOMASVILLE — One man is dead and four City of Thomasville officials are in the hospital following an early morning automobile collision Thursday.

Sgt. 1st Class Scott Woodell, commander of Georgia State Patrol Post 12, said two separate incidents led up to the fatal crash, which happened at approximately 8 a.m. past the intersection of Pinetree Boulevard and Remington Avenue in Thomasville.

“The first involved four vehicles,” he said. “The driver was traveling on Remington and struck a vehicle, which set off a chain of events and other vehicles striking each other. He got a flat tire from the first wreck, which caused his vehicle to pull to the left.”

The driver was Leroy Mosley Jr., who was behind the wheel of a 1992 Ford pickup truck, Woodell said.

“After causing the first wreck, he went through the intersection, attempted to recover and get back in his lane of travel and struck a city bus transporting some employees head-on,” Woodell explained.

Mosley, 65, of Thomasville, was killed upon impact, Woodell said. He was not wearing his seatbelt.

Natalie Connell, city communications director, said 11 city officials were on the bus because they were headed to Thomasville Regional Airport for a direct reports meeting.

The city employees were taken to Archbold Memorial Hospital, officials said. Seven were treated and released. The remaining four were admitted for surgery.

Those on the bus were: City Manager Steve Sykes, Executive Assistant Sylvia Jo DeLoach, Assistant City Manager of Utilities Don Atkinson, Chief of Police Ellis Jackson, Solid Waste Director Nate Tyler, Chief Financial Officer Mike Russell, Fire Chief Bryan Croft, City Engineer Jim Petrak, City Planner Lee Chastain, Assistant City Manager of Customer Service Lynn Williams and Mike Atkinson, director of operations for water, sewer and gas.

The bus only had a seatbelt for the driver, Don Atkinson, who was pinned in at the legs and had to be extracted from the vehicle, Woodell said.

DeLoach, Atkinson, Williams and Petrak went into surgery and were either in or out of recovery late Thursday, Connell said.

Specifics of injuries were not available at press time, but all four were in “fair condition” late Thursday afternoon, a hospital marketing department representative said.

There were no injuries in the first incident, but there was “pretty extensive damage” to the vehicles, Woodell said. All other persons involved were wearing their seatbelts.

Woodell said speeds the vehicles were traveling at the time of impact and many other things pertaining to the incidents were not known Thursday afternoon.

“Right now we are still in the dark about a lot of things as to what went on or caused the incidents,” Woodell said. “One thing that has been corroborated is that (Mosley) turned around to look back at what had happened (in the first incident). That does not mean he intended to get away, as he does not appear to be the type of person to do a hit and run.”

Woodell said information gathered on Mosley indicated that he was a Vietnam veteran and “seemed to be a fine, upstanding citizen of Thomasville.”

“Right now, we cannot tell what his condition was at the time,” he added.

Woodell said authorities learned that Mosley was known to have seizures and was taking medication(s).

He said there is currently no reason to indicate criminal activity or that Mosley was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The Times-Enterprise attempted to contact a witness who saw both incidents but was unable to get a statement because of the ongoing investigation.

The paper also tried to obtain comments from some city employees who were released from the hospital but was unable to reach anyone by press time.

“We certainly are aware that this was a very serious accident and we are very grateful that none of our city family members had more serious injuries than they did,” Connell said. “It appears that everyone is going to be OK. We are mindful of the other driver and would like to offer our condolences to his family and friends.”

Mosley’s wife, Rhunette, said she was still in shock but took a moment to talk about her husband.

“He was a Christian and loved the Lord,” she said. “He was a very loving and outgoing person. I loved him very much.”