JEFFERSON – The wreck early Monday that claimed the life of an assistant football coach and social studies teacher at East Jackson Comprehensive High School occurred when Joel Conway swerved to avoid a deer.



The Georgia State Patrol says Conway was killed on his way to school when he swerved to avoid a deer, his car left the road and hit two trees.



This was Conway’s first year at East Jackson and school officials say he had planned to coach the school’s baseball team this spring.



State Patrol spokesman Gordy Wright says Conway, who lived in Hoschton, was driving south on Georgia 124 when the accident occurred near Jefferson.



Steve Nichols with Jackson County Emergency Services says Conway’s car flipped several times and was on its side. He said earlier Monday that the lone male occupant of the vehicle, later confirmed to be Conway, was dead at the scene.



East Jackson High Principal Patricia Stueck says counselors were on hand at the school on Monday to talk with students.