Truck driver charged with vehicular homicide in fiery I-85 crash that killed 3 adults and 5 children in Georgia

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JACKSON COUNTY, Ga. — A 33-year-old truck driver has been arrested on vehicular homicide charges after a fiery multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 85 that killed eight members of the same family, including five children, authorities said.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety (GDPS), Kane Aaron Hammock faces eight counts of vehicular homicide in the second degree and one count of feticide by vehicle in the second degree. He is also charged with following too closely, no registration, and failure to exercise due care.

The crash happened around 4:10 p.m. Monday near mile marker 147 in Jackson County, about 62 miles northeast of Atlanta, when Hammock’s semi-truck struck the rear of a Dodge Grand Caravan, sparking a chain reaction that involved four other vehicles. The van burst into flames, and seven people inside were pronounced dead at the scene. An eighth victim was later found in the wreckage, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.

According to Fox News, family members identified the victims as Kenia Ramirez and Darwin Ventura, their child Kayle, and Kenia’s mother Sonia Maribel Ramirez, along with Justin, Andy, Natali, and Evan, who were between 2 and 16 years old. Relatives told local media that one of the victims was pregnant, pending confirmation from the autopsy.

A van operated by Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters was also involved, carrying 37 cats. The organization said its driver and several animals were injured, while five cats remain missing.

The Georgia State Patrol and GDPS Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team continue to investigate what is now one of Georgia’s deadliest crashes in recent years, according to Fox News.

Update:

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