January 16, 2002
The fatal crash stopped traffic on both sides of I-75. Shortly before 1:30 Wednesday afternoon, a semi crashed into a van and a propane truck on I-75 in Crisp County.
Authorities shut down both lanes of the Interstate because they worried about a possible explosion. Three vehicles were traveling in the Southbound lanes, when the propane truck stopped for construction. A van behind it slowed down, and was hit by a semi-tractor, which knocked the van into the propane truck.
"It's a terrible tragedy, especially when you see people who are traveling and going down the road, to see that bad an accident," said Donnie Haralson, Crisp Co. Sheriff.
It was a bad situation, with the potential to be worse. As a precaution, the Northbound lanes of the Interstate were also shut down. Officials feared an explosion.
"Anytime an accident like this happens, that endangers the traveling public, the recommendations of the GSP and the fire department, especially involving the propane truck, we detoured traffic then," said Brian Fincher of the DOT.
Authorities on the scene called this one of the worst crashes they'd ever witnessed. The dead victims may have been from Kansas.
Northbound lanes were opened about 3:00, and the southbound lanes opened about 4:15.
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