GEORGIA — A family is mourning the loss of four loved ones, including a middle school student, after a crash on a Georgia interstate that also left three children seriously injured.
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According to the Georgia State Patrol, troopers were called to a deadly crash on Interstate 16 eastbound around 2:10 p.m. on Tuesday.
Troopers said a 2017 Ford F-250 was traveling in the right lane when it crashed into the back of a stopped 2018 Kenworth tractor-trailer. Troopers said the impact pushed the Kenworth into a second stopped tractor-trailer, a 2015 Mack.
Authorities said the driver, a front-seat passenger and a back-seat passenger in the Ford were pronounced dead at the scene. Four children were rushed to Memorial Health in Savannah with life-threatening injuries.
Days later, family members identified the victims and shared an update on the surviving children.
A fundraising page created for the family said the crash claimed the lives of Tim Roundtree, his wife Kelsey Roundtree, their son Orion Roundtree and Tim Roundtree’s aunt, Dr. Hollie Matthews.
Emanuel County Institute also confirmed the death of Orion Roundtree, a seventh-grade student.
“We are deeply saddened to share the devastating news that our 7th grade student, Orion Roundtree, has passed away,” the school wrote in a social media post. “Orion was full of spirit and exuded kindness to everyone.”
Family members said three children survived the crash but suffered significant injuries.
In an update posted Thursday morning, relatives said the children were alive, awake and able to communicate.
According to the family, the two younger children suffered multiple fractures, while the oldest child underwent emergency surgery to repair a torn bowel and is expected to need additional surgeries because of facial injuries. Family members said the child retained his vision but is unable to speak because of a fractured jaw.
“It will take a village to support all of us,” the family wrote on the fundraising page.
The Georgia State Patrol said the crash remains under investigation.
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