Eight members of the same family died in a fiery crash on Interstate 85 Monday, Oct. 13, in Georgia when a tractor-trailer slammed into the back of their Dodge Grand Caravan.
The crash occurred at about 4:11 p.m. in the northbound lane of I-85 just south of mile marker 147 in Commerce northeast of Atlanta.
According to a statement from the Georgia State Patrol, a tractor-trailer was following too closely and struck the rear of a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan. This caused a chain reaction involving the van and four additional vehicles. After impact, the Dodge van became engulfed in flames along with the tractor-trailer, which was hauling chicken fed at the time of the crash.
Killed in the crash were three adults, one of whom is reported to have been pregnant, and five children between the ages of 2 and 16.
The truck driver has been identified by police as Kane Aaron Hammock, a 33-year-old male from Gainesville, Georgia. He was been arrested and charged with eight counts of Vehicular Homicide (2nd degree), one count of Feticide by Vehicle (2nd degree), one count of Following Too Closely, one count of No Registration, and one count of Driver to Exercise Due Care, according to the state patrol’s statement.
A van operated by Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters, carrying 37 cats, was also involved in the collision. The shelter said its driver and several animals were injured, and five cats were missing.
The National Transportation Safety Board, in coordination with the Georgia State Patrol, has opened a safety investigation into this fatal crash.
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