Bibb County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an accident with injuries on I-75 South near Sardis Church Road just after 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning, December 2, 2017. It was reported that a 2017 Ford Expedition, driven by Amanda Richardson of St. Charles Missouri was traveling south on I-75 when she looked down in her vehicle, taking her eyes off the road and struck the vehicle in front of her. The vehicle she struck was a 2006 Honda CRV, driven by Thomas Lyerly of Lawrenceville Georgia. The Honda CRV was knocked into the rear of a 2012 Honda Accord, driven by Jang Moon of Macon. The Honda Accord was knocked into the rear of a 2008 Nissan 350Z, driven by Tennilleql Everette-Battle of Macon. The Nissan was knocked into the rear of a 2014 Jeep Cherokee, driven by Jean Chesling of Cartersville Georgia. The Jeep was knocked into the rear of a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Scottie Roberson of Dacula Georgia. The Chevrolet Silverado was stopped in traffic at the time it was struck.
It was initially reported that Thomas Lyerly and his passenger, Leda Lyerly were transported to a local hospital to be treated for minor injuries. The injuries sustained in the accident on both were serious. On Tuesday, December 26, 2017, Leda Lyerly passed away at the Navicent Health Hospital from injuries sustained in the accident according to Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones. Thomas Lyerly remains hospitalized.
Christine Emert, a passenger in the Ford Expedition was transported to a local hospital to be treated for injuries. Richardson was cited for Distracted Driving.
The accident remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the accident is urged to contact the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500.