1 dead, 1 critically injured in 5-vehicle I-85 Jackson County crash
Emergency vehicles block traffic on Interstate 85 Northbound near Mile Marker 136 in Jackson County after a Penske truck triggered a fatal five-vehicle chain-reaction crash that left one dead, one critically injured, and led to the truck driver's arr
JACKSON COUNTY, Ga. - A Monday evening crash involving a rental truck and four other vehicles on Interstate 85 northbound left one person dead, another critically injured, and led to the arrest of the truck driver, according to the Georgia State Patrol.
What we know:
Troopers responded to a five-vehicle wreck on Interstate 85 northbound at mile marker 136 around 5:22 p.m. Monday. Traffic had slowed down ahead of a yellow Penske truck traveling in the right lane.
The Penske truck was following too closely and hit the back of a Toyota Corolla, pushing it into the median wall. The truck then struck the back of a Nissan Altima, forcing it to rotate and hit a Chevrolet Trax and a Ford F150 before stopping while facing south.
What's next:
The Chevrolet Trax and Ford F150 suffered minor damage and were not towed. The driver of the Toyota Corolla died after being taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
First responders transported the driver of the Nissan Altima to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with critical injuries.
Officers arrested the Penske truck driver for following too closely and second-degree vehicular homicide.
Traffic grinds to a complete halt on Interstate 85 Northbound in Jackson County after all lanes were shut down following a fatal five-vehicle collision involving a Penske box truck that resulted in vehicular homicide charges on August 10, 2026 (GDOT)
By the numbers:
Emergency crews shut down Interstate 85 northbound at 5:22 p.m. and reopened the lanes at 8:29 p.m.
What we don't know:
Authorities have not released the names of the drivers involved in the collision. Investigators have not specified if alcohol, drugs, or weather conditions played a role in the wreck.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from the Georgia State Patrol.