Hall County crash kills 5, including 3 children

HALL COUNTY, Ga. — Crews worked late into the night Monday trying to remove a tractor-trailer that was involved in a horrific crash that claimed the lives of five people in Hall County earlier in the day.

Three of those killed were children.

The crash happened at Athens Highway and Oak Grove around 10:45 a.m.

According to Georgia State Patrol,  2-year-old Eli Emfinger, 8-year-old Kaleigh Emfinger, and 13-year-old Dalton Martin were killed in the crash.

Police say Amanda Pardue, 34, was driving an SUV when it crossed the concrete median and drove into oncoming traffic, hitting a tractor-trailer head on.

Pardue and her front-seat passenger, Robbie Hollis, 53, were also killed.

Dalton was Hollis' grandson. Police said Eli and Kaleigh Emfinger were Pardue's children.

 "Right now everything is just remembering they are in a better place and heaven, and going to live like kings and queens," said cousin Jasmine Pardue.

Family members said the two families involved were friends.

"I just got out of the hospital today and get home to find out my husband and grandson got killed in a wreck," said Darlene Hollis, Robert's wife.  "Keep us in your prayers, that is all I ask."
 
The tractor-trailer involved in the wreck was cleaned up just after 10 p.m. Monday.

The families are collected donations for funeral costs.

• Robbie Hollis and Dalton Martin family: Donate online or call Memorial Park Funeral Home at 770-287-8227 and ask for Kevin.
•  Amanda Pardue, Kaleigh Emfinger and Eli Emfinger family: Account set up at BB&T, 455 Jesse Jewell Parkway, Gainesville.

WSBTV