Eighth Victim Confirmed in Fiery I-85 Crash That Killed Entire Georgia Family; Truck Driver Charged
Authorities in Jackson County, Georgia, The eighth death has been confirmed in a devastating crash north of Interstate 85 on Monday afternoon. Investigators said all eight victims were inside a Dodge minivan that was rear-ended by a tanker semi-truck, causing a chain reaction that engulfed the van in flames.
The Jackson County Coroner’s Office said the victims ranged in age from 2 to 42 and were all members of the same family. A total of six vehicles were involved in the crash, which occurred just south of mile marker 147 around 4 p.m. The Dodge minivan bore the brunt of the impact, and there were no survivors inside.
The Georgia State Patrol initially reported seven deaths at the scene but confirmed the death of an eighth person late Tuesday. victim had taken place. The crash is now being called one of the deadliest highway crashes in Georgia in recent years.
Authorities arrested the identified tanker driver. Kane HammockHe now faces a number of serious charges: eight counts of second-degree vehicular homicide, second-degree vehicular homicide, following too closely, distracted driving and operating a vehicle without a current license plate. Investigators believe that when traffic slowed, Hamak’s truck moved too close behind the Dodge minivan and was unable to stop in time.
The fiery crash also involved Atlanta-based FurKids Animal Rescue group, which was traveling nearby and transported 37 cats to Vermont. Although the rescue van was damaged, none of the personnel died. After escaping the rubble, two cats are still missing and the group continues to search for them while tending to the injured animals.
Officials said cleanup and investigation efforts along I-85 lasted several hours as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze. Part of the highway was closed until the early hours of Tuesday morning.
This tragic accident shook the people of Jackson County and left a family of eight, including a young child, dead to what authorities say was preventable distracted driving. As the investigation continues, residents and local organizations are uniting to offer support to those affected.
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