At least 3 killed in 5-car Gainesville crash

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Gainesville police are investigating a five-vehicle crash that killed three people early Friday morning.

The crash happened just after midnight on Highway 365 near Howard Road.

In addition to the deaths, six people were injured.

The wreckage included a crumbled and twisted car and an overturned tractor-trailer atop a pickup truck and a smashed Jeep.

Police told Channel 2's Richard Elliot that a pickup truck turned in front of a tractor trailer causing a chain reaction with four vehicles.

“As a result of the accident, there were other accidents that were caused trying to avoid it,” Corp. Kevin Holbrook said.

Greg Stephens is the cousin of one of the victims. He told Elliot his family is having a hard time dealing with the loss.

"He was an only child. She spoiled him all the way until he was grown. She cherished the ground he walked on.  I know she's hurting real bad. She can't even grasp this," Stephens said.

Stephens says his cousin grew up in Hall County and played football at Gainesville High School.

"He had a lot of friends. He's a good person. Real friendly. I swear half of Gainesville was his friend," Stephens said.

Andie Hume was a passenger in the smashed Jeep along with her mother, cousin, brother and dog.

"I guess my head hit the window and I broke the window with my head," Hume told Elliot.

"Honestly I blacked out, but I remember pulling out and all I remember is the tractor pulling around and smacking us and just spinning into the gras. We just literally flipped around," Hume said.

Hume's beagle, Lizzie, ran from the car and they've been unable to locate her.

WSBTV