Bibb County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an accident with injuries just after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon on I-16 Westbound, west of Ocmulgee East Boulevard involving several vehicles. It was reported that traffic was slowing and some almost at a stop as there was some work being done on the westbound side of I-16. A tractor trailer driven by 39 year old Gerard Thompson of Palmetto Georgia was traveling westbound on I-16. Thompson struck a full size pickup truck knocking it into a smaller vehicle. The tractor trailer, full-size pickup and small car caught on fire. Information on the pickup and small vehicle are not available at this time. Three people were fatally injured, two were pronounced dead at the scene, one died at the Navicent Hospital. A total of 9 vehicles were involved in the accident. Thompson has been charged with 3 counts of vehicular homicide and I count of reckless driving. He was transported to the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center.
Deputies are still on scene conducting the investigation of the accident. Information on the vehicles, drivers and injured will be released as soon as it is available. The deceased identity will be released once next of kin is notified. The interstate should be opened back up within the hour. Anyone with information about the accident is urged to contact the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500.