One dead after I-16 crash as smoke slows traffic

Troopers say the crash happened as traffic slowed due to smoke from a nearby fire.

TREUTLEN COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – One person is dead after a tractor-trailer crash on Interstate 16 in Treutlen County, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

Troopers say the crash happened Tuesday as traffic slowed near mile marker 73 due to smoke from a nearby fire.

According to Georgia State Patrol, a 2006 Freightliner tractor-trailer was traveling west on I-16 and failed to stop in time, striking the rear of a 2017 Freightliner tractor-trailer that was slowing with traffic.

After the crash, the 2006 tractor-trailer caught fire.

Troopers say the driver of that vehicle died at the scene. The victim’s name has not been released, and the crash remains under investigation.