A fatal crash involving multiple tractor trailers shut down Interstate 75 in Georgia on Wednesday morning. A preliminary investigation revealed that the crash may have been caused by debris that was scattered on the road from an earlier accident.
The incident occurred between mile markers 131 and 132 in Houston County. The results of a preliminary investigation by the Georgia State Patrol have been released and here’s what we know so far:
-A separate crash between two pickup trucks occurred around 5:53 a.m on the southbound lanes, scattering debris across the northbound and southbound lanes.
-Two tractor trailer drivers, who were traveling north, witnessed the crash on the opposite side of the highway and pulled over on the shoulder to help.
-A FedEx semi truck, that was also traveling north, swerved to avoid road debris caused by the earlier accident, but ended up crashing into one of the big rigs that was parked on the shoulder.
-One of the drivers who parked on the shoulder was outside of his rig at the time of impact, and was fatally struck by the FedEx semi.
-The collision then caused the FedEx truck to jackknife, and strike another tractor trailer that was traveling in the middle northbound lane.
-The FedEx driver was injured and taken to the hospital, charges are pending.
Both directions of Interstate 75 were closed following the crash.
The southbound lanes reopened around noon, and the northbound lanes are expected to reopen around 2 p.m., according to GDOT. The investigation remains under investigation.