Over the weekend, longtime mayor of Emerson, Georgia, Albert Pallone and his wife Camilla Pallone were killed in a car accident after a truck swerved into their lane and struck the mayor’s car.
“On Saturday our community suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Mayor Al Pallone and his beloved wife, Millie,” City Manager Kevin McBurnett wrote on the city’s Facebook page. “Al and Millie have been a staple of the Emerson community for over 40 years.”
“Al and I began working together in 2008 at city hall. Al was a proven leader serving the citizens of Emerson as a city councilman for 23 years with the last 15 years as Mayor. Millie was always near providing him support, the framework to his strong leadership,” he continued.
The crash occurred around 4 p.m. Saturday on Knox Bridge Highway and included four vehicles, with the mayor and his wife killed when their Hyundai Santa Fe was struck. The drivers of the two other vehicles were transported to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital for their injuries.
According to 11 Alive News, the driver of the truck, 50-year-old William Abernathy of Calhoun, Georgia, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, first-degree vehicular homicide, and serious injury by vehicle.
Republican Georgia Governor Kemp responded to the news on Twitter.
“Marty, the girls, and I were heartbroken to learn of the tragic death of Mayor Al Pallone and his wife, Camillia, last night. They will be deeply missed by their loved ones and the community that they served so well,” he tweeted. “Please join us in praying for their family during this time.”
https://twitter.com/GovKemp/status/1601979337598803971?s=20&t=d46qtmb1FgFRautBffdLSA
