Quick Facts:
Where: The accident occurred in the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 near Valdosta, Georgia.
What Happened: A tractor-trailer allegedly rear-ended a car.
Participants:
- Austin James Smith, driver of car
- Kelsey Layne Ownby Smith, passenger in car
- Aurora Gracelynn Smith, passenger in car
- Jonathon Ricketts, driver of tractor-trailer
Reported Injuries/Fatalities:
- Austin James Smith, 24, killed
- Kelsey Layne Ownby Smith, 21, killed
- Aurora Gracelynn Smith, killed
- Jonathon Ricketts, 67, killed
Details:
On or about Thursday, March 25th, 2021, an accident between a car and a tractor-trailer claimed the lives of three adults and an infant child. Troopers from the GSP said the accident happened along the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 near Valdosta, Georgia.
Deputies from the County Sheriff’s Office said 24-year-old Austin James Smith, 21-year-old Kelsey Layne Ownby Smith, and their infant daughter, Aurora Gracelynn Smith were killed when their car was allegedly struck from behind by a tractor-trailer. Authorities identified the driver of the tractor-trailer as 67-year-old Jonathon Ricketts, who was also pronounced dead following the accident.
Interstate 75 runs north and south along the western edge of Valdosta, which is about 228 miles south of Atlanta, according to Google Maps.
State and local law enforcement agencies are investigating the accident.