Canton, Cherokee County, Ga. February 19, 2008- Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a residence on Upper Bethany Road to investigate a missing person complaint. Deputies determined Willard Lee Thompson, age 60, left his residence around 4:30 this morning on his way to work but he never arrived. Deputies began a search of the area and the route Mr. Thompson would likely have taken to work. The Cherokee 911 Center received a call reporting a vehicle accident off Highway 5, in the Keithsburg Community.

Deputies located Mr. Thompson’s vehicle more than 600 feet off the roadway, crashed into a creek bed. Unfortunately, deputies found Mr. Thompson deceased and detectives are investigating the incident to determine the cause of death.