JACKSON COUNTY, Ga. — Kane Hammock, a truck driver from Gainesville, has been charged in a crash on Interstate 85 that killed eight people from the same family.
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash, which involved multiple vehicles and occurred on the northbound side of I-85.
The Georgia State Patrol reported that Hammock did not have registration for his truck at the time of the crash.
“It’s a tragedy, man. It’s sad that it happened,” said Matthew Adams, a friend of Hammock’s, when asked about the crash.
The wrecked and fire-damaged tractor-trailer involved in the crash is now located less than half a mile from the accident site.
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Investigators from the NTSB have examined the truck to gather insights into the crash.
Assistant Chief Adam Stephenson of the Commerce Fire Department described the scene, saying, “We had heavy fire coming from the tractor and multiple vehicles spread out.”
Firefighters who responded to the crash found the experience distressing, with Stephenson noting, “It’s going to stick with me for a while. It’s going to stick with all our guys.”
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Hammock, who describes himself as an owner-operator truck driver and an independent singer-songwriter, has owned his truck for around 10 years, according to his friend.
A judge has set Hammock’s bond at $98,000, and he remains in jail.
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