The police have identified the two drivers killed in the fiery accident that occurred along I-85 on Saturday, February 1, around 8 a.m. that blocked all lanes traffic in Gwinnett County for many hours. The smoke could be seen for miles from the accident site.
Investigation reports indicate that the accident involved a silver Volkswagen Passat that was being driven by 31-year-old Emerald Lynn of Norcross and a fuel tanker hauling approximately 8,500 pounds of fuel, driven by 44-year-old Yonas Worku of Snellville.
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Lynn had stopped in the second lane from the right after being involved in another accident when the tanker came up behind her, unable to stop for reasons that have yet to be determined. After colliding with the Passat, the tanker proceeded to spin across four lanes of traffic and flip an undetermined amount of times.
After coming to a stop, both vehicles were completely overcome by flames. Lynn and Worku both died from the injuries they sustained as a result of the accident.
Businesses in the area of Dawson Boulevard and Crescent Drive had to be evacuated due to the flames and the smoke from the fuel tanker. Drivers were also evacuated from their vehicles and taken to a safe location away from the scene.
Reports also indicate that the fuel from the tanker had spread to storm drains and was coming up in front of the businesses along Crescent Drive. The flames spread to some brush around the area and a light pole, causing power outages in the area. Thanks to Hazmat on the scene, they were able to contain the gasoline and diesel fuels enough to avoid a potentially disastrous situation.
After the accident, the northbound lane of I-85 was destroyed by the intensity of the fire. and it took almost 10 hours for the Georgia Department of Transportation to make it passable again. A section about 100 x 70 feet had to have an emergent repaving.