Dense fog causes accident involving several vehicles on I-75 in Crisp Co.

CORDELE, Ga. – Early this morning, dense fog caused an accident involving several vehicles that shut down a large portion of Interstate 75 for several hours.

We spoke to Crisp County Sheriff Billy Hancock about the wreck.

“Yes. Right now, traffic seems to be flowing. Normally, all lanes are open on I- 75. It was about 5:21 a.m. this morning when the accident occurred, involving two tractor trailers and what we call a box truck or ten-wheel box truck. One tractor trailer struck the box truck in the rear, and forced them both to the inside shoulder, striking the guardrail. Another tractor trailer, unable to stop, then struck those two vehicles. One of the drivers was ejected from the tractor trailer and was transported to Crisp Regional Hospital in critical condition at the time this morning. And, we understand he’s later been transported to another hospital,” said Sheriff Billy Hancock, Crisp Co. Sheriff’s Office.

“It took us quite a while to clean it up. Georgia State Patrol, the MCCD responded to actually work the crash that happened. But agencies here in Crisp County, manned roadblocks. The Cordele Police Department, Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, GDOT worked a road so that we could do detours around from exit 99 down to 41, 41 to Rock House Road and back on the interstate at exit 97,” said Sheriff Hancock.

“One of our biggest problems was, that we had, the debris from inside the box truck, which was glue and wood flooring. So, it made quite a bit of mess on the highway and interstate. And, at one point, initially when it happened, some people drove through it and then just on the other side of the wreck, their cars became disabled. So, we had 4 or 5 more cars disabled. So, it was pretty important to get the road shut down,” said Sheriff Hancock.

“Now, while responding this morning, both firemen and law enforcement, EMS, all complained and made note of how foggy it was in the area. So, we feel like the weather was certainly a contributing factor to the accident that occurred this morning,” said Sheriff Hancock.

The road reopened at 11 am this morning.

All of us here at CBS 44 wish for a speedy recovery for the victims.

Gabe Hutton reporting.

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