The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal traffic accident that occurred on Interstate 475, (north bound), between Thomaston Road and Zebulon Road. The accident happened shortly after 10:00a.m., Thursday morning.
The accident involved a total of four vehicles. Two tractor trailers, a Chevrolet Silverado, and a Honda Accord. It was reported that a tractor trailer was disabled and stopped in the middle lane of the Interstate 475. The driver of the tractor trailer got out of his vehicle and began work on the tractor trailer. The driver of a Chevrolet Silverado, 20-year-old Brandon Hankinson, pulled in front of the tractor trailer and parked. Hankinson got out of his vehicle and attempted to assist the driver of the disabled vehicle.
A second tractor trailer, driven by 37-year-old Lawrence Gross of Florida, was traveling in middle lane and collided with the disabled tractor. His vehicle continued to move in a northern direction. His vehicle then struck the parked Chevrolet Silverado. A Honda Accord, driven by 38-year-old Rikki Sharp of Kathleen, was also in the middle lane. Her vehicle struck the trailer of the disabled tractor trailer, after the initial accident took place.
A driver of the disabled tractor trailer, 61-year-old, George E. James, from Effingham, South Carolina, was pronounced dead at the scene. According to Coroner Jones, the next of kin has been notified.
Gross and Sharp were transported to the Navicent and are both listed to be in stable condition. Hankinson was treated and released at the scene.
All lanes on Interstate 475 (northbound) were reopened at around 4:30p.m.
The accident is still under investigation, anyone with information in reference to this incident is urged to contact the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500.