A trucker who allegedly struck a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan and killed eight members of the same family Monday on Georgia’s I-85 has been charged with vehicular homicide, authorities announced Tuesday.
Kane Aaron Hammock, 33, was driving a semi-trailer and allegedly following the 2014 Dodge Caravan too closely when he struck the rear of the vehicle and caused a chain reaction, involving the van and four other vehicles, according to a press release from the Georgia Department of Public Safety. After impact, the Dodge Caravan caught fire, killing all eight occupants, officials said.
According to Jackson County Deputy Coroner Jeff Rogers, there were three adults and five children in the van. One of the adults might have been pregnant. An autopsy is needed to confirm. (RELATED: Woman Dies In ‘Freak Accident’ At Music Festival)
Hammock was arrested and charged with eight counts of second-degree vehicular homicide, one count of following too closely, one count of no registration, and one count of driver to exercise due care, the same press release indicates. In addition, Hammock was charged with feticide by vehicle.
The crash occurred around 4:11 p.m. Monday along the northbound lanes of I-85, Fox5 Atlanta reported. All northbound lanes of the highway were closed for hours following the crash, according to the outlet. Seven of the van’s occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. An eighth victim was found at the crash site.
Family members identified the victims as Kenia Ramirez, Darwin Ventura, and their child, Kayle, Atlanta News First reported. Ramirez’s mother, Sonia Maribel Ramirez and her children, Justin, Andy, Natali, and Evan were also killed. The children ranged from two to 16-years-old, the outlet reported. Authorities have not identified the victims.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the fatal crash alongside the Georgia Safety Patrol, according to the same press release.