In brief
A tragic highway crash on Monday in Jackson County, Georgia, has led to the discovery of eight bodies, following a collision between a semitrailer and a van. The incident, described by authorities as a chain reaction crash, involved multiple vehicles and left one driver from an animal rescue group injured. Efforts are ongoing to identify the victims, while the Georgia State Patrol investigates the circumstances surrounding the event.
ATLANTA (AP) — An eighth body has been discovered at the scene of a devastating highway crash in Georgia involving a semitrailer and a van, confirmed Deputy Jackson County Coroner Dean Stringer on Tuesday. The catastrophic incident took place on Interstate 85, 62 miles northeast of Atlanta, where the semitrailer was reported to have been following the Dodge van too closely.
During the fiery crash that occurred Monday afternoon, seven victims died instantly. The body of the eighth individual was found later at the crash site, although details surrounding their discovery have yet to be released.
Authorities have noted that the crash resulted in a chain reaction involving four other vehicles, one of which was utilized by Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters. The driver of that van suffered minor injuries including cuts and bruises. Furkids CEO Samantha Shelton detailed the mayhem, stating, “In the chaos of the wreckage, cages were crushed, and cats began to flee.”
The group was transporting 37 cats to a shelter in Vermont at the time of the incident. As of Tuesday, two cats remained unaccounted for, while one cat is hospitalized in critical condition, according to Shelton.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety confirmed that efforts to identify the victims are still underway. “Troopers are still trying to identify and confirm the occupants,” noted spokesperson Franka Young in a statement. The Georgia State Patrol’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash, aiming to uncover further details about the tragic event.
