GEORGIA — A person was seriously injured early Christmas Eve following a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 20 in Rockdale County, according to the Georgia State Patrol.
Troopers said the crash occurred around 12:17 a.m. Wednesday in the eastbound lanes of I-20 near mile marker 80. Investigators determined that a Dodge Challenger became disabled and stopped in the right travel lane rather than moving onto the shoulder.
A short time later, a Dodge Ram truck pulled up behind the Challenger and stopped partially in the travel lane and partially on the shoulder so the driver could exit the vehicle to help. As the man was outside the vehicles, a Mercedes approached from behind and struck the rear of the Challenger before sideswiping the Ram truck. During the collision, the man was hit and seriously injured.
The victim was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment. His identity has not been released.
Georgia State Patrol said the driver of the Dodge Challenger was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Troopers are still working to determine what charges, if any, will be filed.
The crash forced all eastbound lanes of I-20 to close for approximately four and a half hours, leading to significant overnight traffic delays. The investigation remains ongoing.
