A tractor-trailer slammed into a van on I-85 Monday afternoon, killing all seven people inside when the van burst into flames.
What It Means For You: If you travel I-85 through Jackson County, you saw heavy delays as investigators worked to determine what caused this deadly crash near the Maysville Road exit.
What Happened: The crash occurred around 4:15 p.m. near the State Route 98/Maysville Road exit and involved six vehicles total. The tractor-trailer hit a Dodge van, which then caused a chain reaction with other vehicles on the highway. The van caught fire immediately, and all seven people inside died at the scene.
The Aftermath: Georgia State Patrol closed all northbound lanes of I-85 in the area for more than five hours. The highway didn’t reopen until nearly 9:45 p.m.
What We Don’t Know: Authorities have not released the names of the seven victims. Investigators have not said what caused the tractor-trailer to hit the van or whether speed, weather, or other factors played a role.
