Overview
- Authorities say a semi-trailer following too closely rear-ended a Dodge van near mile marker 147 on I-85 northbound around 4:11 p.m., igniting the van and triggering a six-vehicle pileup.
- Seven people in the van were pronounced dead at the scene and an eighth body was later recovered at the crash site, bringing the confirmed death toll to eight.
- Georgia officials arrested Kane Aaron Hammock, 33, and announced charges including eight counts of second-degree vehicular homicide, one count of feticide by vehicle, following too closely, no registration, and failure to exercise due care.
- The Georgia State Patrol’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is leading the forensic investigation, and the National Transportation Safety Board has opened a safety review.
- A Furkids Animal Rescue van transporting 37 cats was involved; the driver was treated and released, most cats were recovered, two were reported missing as of Tuesday, and one was hospitalized for critical care.