Former Church of God preacher dies in accident
By Diana Royal True Citizen Staff Writer

The Rev. Kelmer Durden died due to injuries sustained in this accident on Highway 305 last Thursday. (Staff photo by Mary Kate Holland)

A retired judge died on Burke County roadways last week after falling asleep at the wheel.

According to state troopers, the Rev. Kelmer Durden, 79, of Swainsboro was traveling on Highway 305 near Vidette Thursday afternoon when he fell asleep and crashed his 1994 Lincoln Town Car into a culvert. He was extracted from the vehicle by EMA and transported to Burke Medical Center where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Burke County Coroner Betty White said Durden died from blunt force trauma to the chest, abdomen and legs.

Durden served as Emanuel County Probate Judge for 20 years and spent 52 years as a Church of God minister, including two years at the Millen Church of God in Jenkins County.