ALBANY, GEORGIA — With heavy hearts, family, friends, and community members are mourning the loss of Brett Lane Sims, 23, who died following a late-night crash Tuesday on Pine Avenue in Albany.

Emergency responders and authorities were called to the scene as officials worked to determine what had happened. Witnesses reported that Brett’s vehicle struck a utility pole before continuing into a building along Pine Avenue.

Brett was transported to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler was called to the hospital at approximately 11 p.m. Tuesday and later pronounced Brett deceased.

Authorities are awaiting the official incident report, which is expected to provide additional details about the crash, including the sequence of events and what may have caused the vehicle to leave the roadway.

While the investigation continues, the people who knew and loved Brett are left facing the painful reality of an unexpected goodbye. Behind the details of the crash is the loss of a young man whose life mattered deeply to his family, friends, and community.