At Least 14 Killed In GA Thanksgiving Crashes: GSP

GEORGIA — As of 8 a.m. Friday, state authorities said at least 14 people have died in crashes over the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Georgia State Patrol said around midnight Friday people died in Newnan, Griffin, Brunswick, Sylvania and Dublin. Patch has submitted an open records request for more information about these crashes.

Channel 2 Action News reported someone died around 5:30 a.m. Thursday after their Dodge Charger was hit by a tractor-trailer that forcibly jack-knifed after it was hit by an Amazon semi on Interstate 75 north in Henry County. The Amazon tractor-trailer also hit a Toyota SUV, the outlet reported.

Meanwhile, Channel 2 reported five people died, and five people were hospitalized, in a crash Thursday on GA-111. A gray Ram pickup was involved in a head-on collision with a white Ford van, the outlet reported.

Ahead of Thanksgiving, public safety officials cautioned drivers of increased police presence on the roads during the holiday traveling period, which began at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Public safety officials deemed Thanksgiving the busiest travel day of the year. The traveling period will continue until 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Georgia Public Safety Commissioner Lt. Col. William W. Hitchens III previously advised drivers to be mindful of speed limits, wear seatbelts and inspect their vehicles ahead of their trips. He also encouraged people to not drive impaired or distracted and to be patient.