Truck Driver Charged in Deadly 12 Vehicle Wreck on I-16 in Bibb County

Every truck accident is serious, but the multi-vehicle wreck on I-16 near Ocmulgee East was nothing short of devastating. Three people have died as a result of the crash, which involved nine cars (one of which was a church van) and three 18-wheelers. Updates are still coming, but we know for sure that two of the fatalities occurred on the road, while one person lost his or her life at the hospital. 11 Alive reports that three people in total were listed in critical condition. Up to 20 passengers were involved, though not everyone sustained injuries.

“Three vehicles are burned beyond recognition,” according to Bibb County Chief Coroner Leon Jones. Those fires led to one victim being airlifted to a burn unit in Augusta.

Our hearts go out to the victims and their families of the multi-car crash on I-16.

What caused the multi-car crash with the tractor trailer?

Roadway crews were on I-16, cutting trees. Despite signage asking drivers to be aware and to slow down, “The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office said that 39-year-old Gerard Thompson of Palmetto, GA struck a pickup truck and knocked it into another car. All three vehicles caught fire,” per WGXA TV.

It appears that Thompson could not slow down in time. He “ran over a car and a pickup truck, causing a chain reaction that involved [the] church van,” as explained by AJC.com. A burned body was found at the scene, though it was later determined to be some kind of small animal. As a result of the crash, 11 Alive says, Thompson “has been charged with 3 counts of vehicular homicide and one count of reckless driving.” No reason for why Thompson could not stop has been released.

But photos and videos of the burned 18-wheeler, car and truck have been released, and they are difficult to look at: hollowed-out shells of vehicles, smoking and covered in ash. Car and truck fires are some of the most devastating events there are. Once a fuel line is breached, the damage is swift and deadly. That only one victim was airlifted to a burn unit is extraordinary, as truck fires can quickly burn out of control.

The deadliest truck wreck in Georgia since 2011

Middle Georgia has not had such a catastrophic mass casualty wreck like this since 2011, when two men died as a result of a defective tire failing while a 15-passenger van was in motion. We remember the horrific details of that car wreck so clearly because we were the ones who represented the 14 families, eventually obtaining a verdict of over $16.5 million for the first victim’s family in the bellwether trial, and confidential settlements on behalf of the other victims.

At Harris Lowry Manton LLP, we handle the most tragic and catastrophic injury cases in Georgia. We offer our clients practical yet compassionate guidance, and aggressively pursue damages on their behalf. This dedication and skill allowed us to obtain the largest and second largest jury verdicts in Georgia in 2016, on behalf of our grieving clients. We have the skills, the resources and the experience to handle complex litigation, and the drive and passion to protect you and your loved ones.

To learn more about HLM’s services, please call our Atlanta team at 404-961-7650, our Savannah team at 912-651-9967, or fill out our contact form to schedule your free case evaluation.