Three Confirmed Dead in I-85 Crash

Three people are confirmed dead after a wreck this morning on I-85 in Jackson County.

It happened on I-85SB about 7:30a near Exit 147 in Commerce.

At of 11a, troopers were still working the scene, but according to the Georgia State Patrol Gainesville Post, three passengers died after the van they were riding in left the road.

In all, 12 people were in the van when it left the roadway, went down an embankment and struck a tree.  Three passengers were ejected and died later.  Eight others were injured. Three were taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville and five to Athens Regional.

Traffic on I-85 southbound was backed up for miles as crews continue to work the scene.  Franka Young, GSP Public Information Officer tells WLHR News the GSP Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT) is conducting a follow-up investigation and charges are pending.

The names of the victims have not yet been released. Young said the families have not yet been notified.

WSB TV is reporting the passengers were members of two rock bands, Kult ov Azezel and Wormreich and were reportedly coming back from a rock concert last night in Spartanburg, SC.   However, the State Patrol is not confirming that yet.

The Kult ov Azazel’s Facebook page says members of Wormreich and Khaotika were passengers in that van and  a concern set for tonight in Atlanta has been cancelled.

More details on this story as they become available.