Update: I-20 EB shut down Dec. 24 due to multiple vehicle crash involving a pedestrian

The serious crash shut down EB lanes for several hours – the pedestrian was life-flighted

Officials from Georgia State Patrol Post 46 in Walton County report that a multi-vehicle crash on I-20 in Rockdale County on Dec. 24 shut down the eastbound lanes for four and a half hours due to a multi-vehicle crash that also involved a pedestrian. GSP Post 46 Assistant Commander Christoph Ayers said GSP TFC3 Killingsworth was dispatched to the crash.

“Due to the crash, all eastbound lanes of Interstate 20 were shut down for approximately four and half hours starting at mile marker 80.9. GDOT was dispatched to the scene and redirected traffic off the Interstate to bypass the crash utilizing Iris Drive to State Route 138,” Ayers said. The preliminary crash investigation discovered that a Dodge Challenger had become disabled in the right travel lane of the interstate and failed to relocate to the paved shoulder of the roadway. A Dodge Ram truck approached from behind and observed the Challenger blocking the right lane. The driver of the Ram truck parked his vehicle in front of the Challenger partially in the right lane and partially on the shoulder.”

Ayers said the driver of the Ram truck then exited his vehicle to offer assistance to the occupants inside the Challenger. A Mercedes sedan approaching from behind both the Challenger and Ram truck and ran into the Challenger in the rear bumper with its front bumper while simultaneously side swiping the Ram truck.

“In the collision the pedestrian was struck by the vehicles and came to rest in an unknown location in the roadway,” Ayers said. “The Challenger traveled from the right lane to the left lane for approximately 217 feet before coming to an uncontrolled rest.”

Ayers said the pedestrian sustained serious injury from the crash but was talking and coherent before being life flighted from the scene to Grady Hospital. The driver of the Challenger was determined to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. SCRT-E was notified and dispatched to assist.

“All charges are pending,” Ayers said.