Authorities in Jackson County, Georgia, have confirmed an eighth fatality in a devastating crash that occurred Monday afternoon on Interstate 85 North, after investigators located an additional victim at the scene.
A Family Lost
Investigators say all eight victims were riding in a Dodge minivan that was struck from behind by a tanker semi-truck, triggering a chain-reaction crash that engulfed the van in flames. The Jackson County Coroner’s Office reported that the victims, all members of the same family, ranged in age from 2 to 42 years old. The crash occurred just south of mile marker 147 around 4 p.m. and ultimately involved six vehicles in total. There were no survivors inside the van.
Victim Count Revised
The Georgia State Patrol initially reported seven fatalities at the scene, but confirmed late Tuesday that an eighth victim had been found. Officials are calling it one of the deadliest highway crashes in Georgia in recent years.
Charges Filed Against Truck Driver
Authorities arrested the truck driver, identified as Kane Hammock, who faces charges including eight counts of second-degree vehicular homicide, second-degree vehicular feticide, following too closely, distracted driving, and operating a vehicle without a current license plate. Investigators believe Hammock’s truck was following too closely behind the van when traffic slowed, leaving him unable to stop in time to avoid the collision.
A Nearby Rescue Van Also Involved
The crash also involved a van operated by Atlanta-based FurKids Animal Rescue, which was transporting 37 cats to Vermont at the time. The van sustained damage, though none of its staff were killed. Two cats remained missing following the crash as of the latest update, with the organization continuing search efforts while caring for injured animals.
Highway Closure and Cleanup
Cleanup and investigation efforts along I-85 continued for several hours as fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze, and the affected section of highway remained closed until early Tuesday morning.
A Community in Mourning
The crash has deeply affected the Jackson County community, with residents and local organizations coming together to support those impacted by the loss of an entire family, including a young child, in what authorities describe as a preventable incident tied to distracted driving.