Schley County, GA (March 25, 2025) – Eight people were hospitalized Tuesday morning after a chain-reaction crash involving 12 vehicles on Highway 19 in Schley County. Georgia State Patrol is investigating and searching for a tractor-trailer that fled the scene.
Accident Details: According to GSP, the crash began around 7:50 a.m. near the intersection of Highway 19 and Old Highway 19. Investigators say a green 2013 Ford Fusion struck a silver 2017 Ford Fusion in the southbound left lane. The silver Fusion became disabled in the roadway.
The driver exited the vehicle and reached the shoulder safely. Moments later, an unidentified tractor-trailer traveling southbound struck the disabled silver Fusion and continued without stopping.
That secondary impact triggered a series of additional collisions, as several other drivers were unable to stop in time or swerved into the median to avoid the wreckage. In total, 12 vehicles were involved in the pileup.
Officials noted that heavy fog may have reduced visibility and contributed to the rapid buildup of collisions.
Injuries and Road Closures: Emergency responders transported eight people to Phoebe Sumter Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Two more individuals sought treatment on their own. Authorities closed both directions of Highway 19 for approximately two and a half hours while crews cleared debris and investigators documented the scene.
Legal Considerations: Crashes involving multiple vehicles often require in-depth investigation to determine which drivers may have contributed to the pileup and whether any vehicles were in violation of traffic laws. When a commercial truck flees a crash site, investigators typically look for witnesses, surveillance footage, or truck part debris to help identify the vehicle and its owner.
Leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage or injury is a serious offense under Georgia law. In this case, the tractor-trailer’s involvement escalated an already dangerous situation, and the driver’s failure to remain could lead to criminal charges once identified.
Investigators will also review road conditions, traffic flow, and whether the early-morning fog played a measurable role in drivers’ ability to brake or steer clear in time.
Ongoing Investigation: Georgia State Patrol continues to investigate the crash and is asking anyone with information about the unidentified tractor-trailer to contact GSP Post 10 in Americus at 229-931-2397.I hope for a full recovery for everyone injured and encourage anyone with dashcam footage or other helpful details to come forward.
Source: WALB News 10