GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Interstate 85 South near the Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road exit all the way to Old Peachtree Road is reopened after a deadly crash.
Gwinnett County police told Channel 2 Action News that two people were killed in the crash involving two tractor-trailers around 1:30 a.m. A total of four vehicles were involved in the crash.
The drivers of both tractor-trailers, 63-year-old Robert Kent and 50-year-old Raymond Samuel, are confirmed to be dead.
The road was shut down for more than five hours.
Channel 2′s Steve Gehlbach was on the scene as crews investigated.
Breaking: double fatal crash involving 2 tractor trailers and at least two other cars. I-85 southbound CLOSED in Gwinnett County. Taking all traffic off at Hwy 317 exit @WSBTraffic @MarkArum @AshleyFrascaWSB pic.twitter.com/2mlRYLd8xq
— Steve Gehlbach (@SteveGWSB) January 24, 2020
The Gwinnett Police Department said, “based on the preliminary investigation, evidence at the scene, and witness statements,” it appears the incident began when Leah Knox, 28, of Buford lost control of her gray 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse.
Police said a tractor-trailer driven by Kent struck the Mitsubishi. The tractor-trailer continued forward and struck a median wall, according to officials.
Police said how the second tractor trailer, driven by Samuel, made impact is still under investigation.
Knox was later placed under arrest and taken to the Gwinnett County Jail. She has been charged with homicide by vehicle, failure to maintain lane and too fast for conditions.
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