Crime
Truck driver Kane Hammock arrested and charged in the fiery I-85 crash that killed eight people
JACKSON COUNTY, Ga. — Authorities have confirmed that eight people—all members of the same family—were killed in a devastating multi-vehicle crash Monday afternoon on Interstate 85 northbound in Jackson County.
According to the Jackson County Coroner’s Office, all eight victims were traveling together in a Dodge minivan when it was rear-ended by a tanker semi-truck that was reportedly following too closely.
The impact caused the minivan to burst into flames, trapping everyone inside.
Emergency responders initially reported seven fatalities at the scene, but a subsequent search of the wreckage led to the discovery of an eighth victim, who was also pronounced dead at the scene.
The victims range in age from 2 to 42 years old, officials said.
The crash occurred shortly after 4:00 p.m. near mile marker 147, just south of Commerce, Georgia.
According to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), the initial impact triggered a chain reaction involving six vehicles, though the most catastrophic damage was confined to the family’s van.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety identified the driver of the tanker truck as Kane Hammock, who was taken into custody following the crash.
Hammock faces eight counts of second-degree vehicular homicide, second-degree vehicular feticide, following too closely, distracted driving, and operation of a vehicle without a current plate.
Investigators said the tanker truck was traveling directly behind the Dodge minivan when it failed to stop in time, striking it from behind and igniting a massive fire.
Witnesses described seeing flames engulfing the van within seconds, leaving bystanders helpless to intervene.
Family members later identified the deceased as Kenia Ramirez and Darwin Ventura, along with their young daughter Kayle.
The couple was expecting another child at the time of the crash.
Also killed were Sonia Maribel Ramirez, Kenia’s mother, and her children Justin, Andy, Natali, and Evan.
While the Georgia State Patrol has not yet officially confirmed the identities, Franka Young, a spokesperson for the Department of Public Safety, said troopers are “working diligently to identify and confirm all occupants through available records and forensic analysis.”
The wreck prompted the closure of northbound lanes of I-85 for several hours as investigators, firefighters, and recovery crews worked through the debris and charred remains of the vehicles.
“This is one of the most tragic traffic incidents we’ve seen in recent memory,” one state trooper said at the scene. “An entire family lost their lives in an instant.”
The Georgia State Patrol’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT) continues to investigate the crash. Officials have not yet released details regarding the tanker truck’s contents or whether speed or impairment played a role in the collision.
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage to contact the Georgia State Patrol Post in Athens as the investigation remains active.
Crime
Greenville County Murder-Suicide: Chloe Jade Brown and Dreak Wright Dead After Elmwood Avenue Shooting
GREENVILLE, South Carolina — A fatal shooting at a home on Elmwood Avenue in Greenville County claimed the lives of a man and a woman on Tuesday evening, October 13, 2026.
The victims have been identified in information shared with the public as Chloe Jade Brown, a young mother, and Dreak Wright. The incident has been described as a suspected murder-suicide.
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called to Elmwood Avenue before 9 p.m. after receiving a report of a shooting.
Upon arrival, they found a man and a woman who had both sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
According to the supplied account, Wright allegedly shot Brown before taking his own life. The identities and sequence of events should be treated as reported information until confirmed by authorities.
Chloe Jade Brown has been remembered by friends and loved ones as a caring mother and a bright presence in their lives.
Following news of the deadly incident, tributes expressed grief over her death and concern for the children she leaves behind. Those mourning her have offered prayers for her children, family and everyone affected by the tragedy.
The loss of a mother has prompted particular concern for the children’s well-being and the emotional support they may need as they cope with their loss.
Some people sharing tributes to Brown alleged that she had experienced domestic violence. However, the information available does not independently confirm those claims or establish whether domestic violence played a role in the shooting.
Authorities have not provided further details in the supplied report about the circumstances leading up to the incident, the relationship between the victims or any previous reports of domestic disputes.
These details should be verified before being presented as established facts.
Deputies with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Elmwood Avenue residence before 9 p.m. Tuesday. They found both victims dead from gunshot wounds, according to the agency’s initial account.
The incident has been described as a murder-suicide in the supplied information, but additional official confirmation is needed regarding the sequence of events and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The tragedy has left friends and loved ones mourning both individuals, while tributes to Brown have highlighted the impact her death will have on her children.