Stephen Hasner | | March 22, 2024
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A major disruption occurred on Interstate 85 South in Gwinnett County following a severe collision between two tractor-trailers that caught fire near mile marker 123, in proximity to Hamilton Mill Road and approximately 40 miles northeast of Atlanta. The incident was reported by the Georgia Department of Public Safety, which indicated substantial barrier damage due to the blaze.
Witnesses captured video footage of the heavy smoke billowing from the accident site as emergency fire services sought to extinguish the engulfing flames. Official inquiries into the crash are currently in place to establish if there were any casualties.
The aftermath of the collision initially led officials to close the interstate to facilitate debris removal and to manage the accident site safely. Approximately at 12:45 p.m., authorities managed to partially reopen the interstate, with one lane becoming available to traffic.
Commuters in the area are faced with significant delays, and traffic logs from the Georgia Department of Transportation show extensive queuing beyond Braselton. Alternative routes have been experiencing increasing congestion, with Hwy 124 identified as a potential bypass between Hwy 211 and Chateau Elan. Another suggested route, I-985, is also experiencing heavy traffic. Motorists are advised to seek up-to-date traffic information for continued advisories and potential detours.
Source: 11Alive.com WXIA