A Georgia truck driver has been arrested and charged following a devastating crash on Interstate 85 that killed three adults and five children Monday afternoon in Jackson County, roughly 60 miles northeast of Atlanta.
Eighth Victim Confirmed in Fiery I-85 Crash That Killed Entire Georgia Family
How the Crash Occurred
According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, investigators determined that 33-year-old Kane Aaron Hammock, driving a semitrailer, was following too closely behind a Dodge van when the truck collided with it. The collision ignited a fire that consumed both vehicles, and all eight occupants of the van were pronounced dead at the scene.
Charges Filed
Hammock faces eight counts of second-degree vehicular homicide and one count of feticide by vehicle, with authorities stating that one of the victims may have been pregnant. He also faces additional charges of following too closely, lack of proper registration, and failure to exercise due care. He was taken into custody by the Georgia State Patrol and booked into the Jackson County Jail. The identities of the victims have not yet been released pending autopsy results and family notifications.
Investigation Underway
Georgia State Patrol spokesperson Franka Young confirmed that the cause of the fire and the exact sequence of the crash remain under investigation by the agency’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team, with assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board.
A Chain-Reaction Collision
Authorities said the initial impact triggered a chain-reaction crash involving at least four additional vehicles. Among them was a van operated by Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters, which was transporting 37 cats to Vermont at the time. The van’s driver suffered minor injuries, though the crash left several animal cages damaged and animals scattered. As of the latest update, two cats remained unaccounted for and one was receiving critical care.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy that has shaken our entire community,” said Furkids CEO Samantha Shelton, confirming the organization’s van was involved in the crash.
Ongoing Investigation
Officials continue to investigate the full circumstances of the crash, which they have described as one of the state’s most catastrophic collisions in recent years.